The Oconee County Board of Education voted unanimously to extend the contract of Superintendent Jason Branch by one year during its work session on Monday in the Instructional Support Center.

Dr. Branch’s contract now will run through June of 2027. His salary reflects the four-percent raise given to all Oconee County Schools employees and the step increase for all eligible OCS employees. All other provisions of his contract remain unchanged.

“We are pleased to extend Dr. Branch’s contract for another year,” BOE Chair Kim Argo said. “His strong leadership and visionary direction have been critical to the district’s success. We are excited to continue working together to support our students, schools, and community.”

Dr. Branch recently began his 13th year in Oconee County, meaning students who were kindergarteners when he arrived will begin their senior years on Wednesday. According to a recent report from the Georgia School Superintendents Association, the national and state averages for Superintendent longevity are 3.2 and 2.6 years, respectively. Seventy-three Georgia districts are entering the 2024-25 school year with new Superintendents, per the GSSA report.

In other news:

• Oconee County Schools has scheduled two additional public hearings on the millage rate for Friday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., to be followed by a special session at 2:30 p.m. to ratify the millage rate. The Georgia Department of Revenue notified Oconee County of a technical reporting discrepancy regarding the hearings held Monday, July 1. The notice of the additional hearings will appear in the legal organ on Thursday, Aug. 8. Said Dr. Branch, “We are committed to resolving this matter and will hold additional hearings to ensure we move forward appropriately.” The Board of Education is still recommending a millage rate of 14.25 for Fiscal Year 2025.

• The Board heard reports from the Superintendent as well as from Teaching and Learning, Student Services, Special Education, Technology, Human Resources, Operations, Operations/Facilities, and Communications.

• The Board received requests for two field trips in September of 2024 and March of 2025 that will be voted on at the Aug. 12 regular session.

• The Board approved the personnel recommendations.

For more information about the Board of Education, please click here.