BOE

Phillip Powell talks to parents and teachers outside the Oglethorpe County School District on March 10, 2026, in Lexington. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Phillip Powell talks to parents and teachers outside the Oglethorpe County School District on March 10, 2026, in Lexington. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Board of Education names superintendent finalist

Sydney Shankman
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education named Phillip Powell as the sole finalist for superintendent on Tuesday.  Powell will replace Beverley Levine on July 1, pending the approval of his contract at the BOE’s work session on March 31, Board Chair Becky Soto said. “Ms.
Jill Barnes, a teacher at Oglethorpe County Middle School, takes notes for her group at the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15. Different topics were put at the top of each noteboard for those in attendance to discuss. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Jill Barnes, a teacher at Oglethorpe County Middle School, takes notes for her group at the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15. Different topics were put at the top of each noteboard for those in attendance to discuss. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Input session gives feedback for search

Neva Drane
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Administration, teachers, students and Oglethorpe County residents attended the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15, where they worked together to answer questions regarding the goals and qualities of the new superintendent.
Using parent input, Oglethorpe County Superintendent Beverley Levine (left), Board of Education chair Becky Soto and the BOE decided to move the start date of the 2026-27 school year to Aug. 7. The 2026-27 school calendar also features shorter breaks. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Using parent input, Oglethorpe County Superintendent Beverley Levine (left), Board of Education chair Becky Soto and the BOE decided to move the start date of the 2026-27 school year to Aug. 7. The 2026-27 school calendar also features shorter breaks. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Schools have later start, fewer long breaks in 2026-27

Ansley Gavlak
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The Oglethorpe County School System will push back the start of the 2026-27 school year by one week to Friday, Aug. 7, according to the recently approved academic calendar. School began on Friday, Aug. 1 this year.
Oglethorpe County High School assistant principal Ean Sonnier discusses a grant worth $80,000 during the BOE meeting on Tuesday. The money has been earmarked for a new tractor, a welding cutter and other equipment for the agriculture program. (Drew Bearden/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County High School assistant principal Ean Sonnier discusses a grant worth $80,000 during the BOE meeting on Tuesday. The money has been earmarked for a new tractor, a welding cutter and other equipment for the agriculture program. (Drew Bearden/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE purchases two new propane buses

Ella Jones
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education decided to purchase two propane-powered school buses to replace older models Tuesday, in order to keep the district’s transportation program running efficiently. Each bus will cost $155,033, with $88,110 in state bond funds applied to each purchase.

ESPLOST renewal on ballot

Zach Leggio
Thursday, August 21, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education has approved a resolution to put the Education Special Local Option Sales (ESPOLST) on the ballot this November.
Shanna Reynolds (from front), Oglethorpe County 4-H agent Marcus Eason, superintendent Beverley Levine, administrative assistant Sue Ann Blalock, Guillermo Camacho, Tim Poole, Jake Willcox, Susan Robinson and director of operations Paul Thiel discuss reading and speech services for home school students with disabilities for the 2025-26 school year at a work session Tuesday. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Shanna Reynolds (from front), Oglethorpe County 4-H agent Marcus Eason, superintendent Beverley Levine, administrative assistant Sue Ann Blalock, Guillermo Camacho, Tim Poole, Jake Willcox, Susan Robinson and director of operations Paul Thiel discuss reading and speech services for home school students with disabilities for the 2025-26 school year at a work session Tuesday. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

BOE discusses reading, speech services during work session

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, July 31, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education discussed reading and speech services for home school students with disabilities for the 2025-26 school year at its work session Tuesday night.
Superintendent Beverley Levine attends the BOE meeting via Zoom while she’s visiting family in South Africa. The BOE approved the 2026 budget on Tuesday. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Superintendent Beverley Levine attends the BOE meeting via Zoom while she’s visiting family in South Africa. The BOE approved the 2026 budget on Tuesday. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

BOE approves deficit budget at $30.8 million

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously approved the budget for the 2026 fiscal year at its meeting on Tuesday. The total revenue is projected at $30.8 million and the total expenses at $33.7 million, resulting in a nearly $3 million deficit.