The Oconee County Board of Education honored retiring Chair Kim Argo during its regular session on Monday at the Instructional Support Center.

Ms. Argo spent 16 years on the Board of Education, including the last four as Chair, and is retiring as the district’s longest-serving board member based on records dating back to 1955. 

On Monday, Superintendent Jason Branch read the lengthy list of accomplishments that have taken place during her tenure in the areas of Teaching and Learning, Special Education, Technology, Human Resources, Communications, Student Services, Business Services, Operations, Facilities, Athletics, and Transportation.

Monday also marked the final meeting for Tim Burgess, who is retiring after 11 years on the Board.

“You have been such good role models,” Board Vice Chair Amy Parrish said during the meeting. “All the time, you were servant leaders. You always did what was right for the students and what our community wanted.”

In other news on Monday:

• The Board voted 5-0 to approve the School Resource Officers Memorandum of Understanding between the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office/Oconee County Board of Commissioners and the Oconee County School District.

• The Board voted 5-0 to approve moving Board Policy BBA - Board Officers off the table and placing it into action. The policy reads, “The Board shall elect by majority vote at the regular January board meeting a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, who shall preside in the absence of the chairperson for terms to be set by the Board, and a legislative liaison.”

• The Board voted 5-0 to approve placing the 2026-27 Fall Break Draft Calendar on the table for public and community input until its next meeting.

• Principal Tamara Goforth, Assistant Principal Chelsea Palmer, and fifth-grade students Beau Webb, Isaac McCulley, Luci Grubbs, Carter Townsend, and Sutton Thomas presented High Shoals Elementary’s points of pride. Students of High Shoals Elementary also provided the December art display. Their instructor is Charles Clinkenbeard.

• Sandra Dukes was named the December Pursuit of Excellence Award winner for Paraprofessionals. She received a $50 VISA gift card and a golf umbrella provided by Peach State Federal Credit Union, additional gift cards from Chops & Hops and Rosie's Hometown Meats, and a commemorative plaque from Oconee County Schools.

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

• The Board recognized the 2024 FFA State Fair Chapter awardees from Malcom Bridge Middle School: Horticulture, Superior Chapter Champion; and Forestry, Superior Chapter Reserve Champion. The advisor is Emily Courson.

• The Board recognized the 2024 FFA National Agriscience Fair awardees: Emi Walker of North Oconee High (1st); Norah Brubaker and Asher Grace Bailey of Malcom Bridge Middle (2nd); Hazel Brubaker and Kevin Joy of Malcom Bridge Middle (4th); Christopher Butler and Lena Steinkamp of Malcom Bridge Middle (4th); Allison Anderson and Harper Havick of Malcom Bridge Middle (4th); Sarah Sial of Malcom Bridge Middle (5th); Ryker Cockett Kostas of Malcom Bridge Middle (5th); and Chrisa Bourlai of Dove Creek Middle (8th). The advisors are Courson, Tim Griffeth, and Brandon Walker.

• The Board recognized the 2024 Class 3A boys cross country state championship team from Oconee County High: Eli Beall, Champ Blose, Aaron Brodrick, Noah Dixon, Jonah Ferguson, Samuel Hostetter, Brennan Mullis, Dayton Blose, Malcolm Cohen, Tate Jenkins, Rylan Mixon, and Lucas Woitkovich. The coaches are Jake Forrester, Jim Norton, and Kendra Houghton.

• The Board recognized the Oconee County High girls cross country team that came in third in the 2024 Class 3A state championship meet: Reagan Gilmore, Cadence Keese, Caitlynn Krumm, Ruthie Sherard, Alissa Tan, Annabelle Wiktorski, Mary Wood, Lalla Andrews, Elzie Baker, Evelysse Munoz, Amanda Seuser, and Caroline Sherard. The coaches are Forrester, Norton, and Houghton.

• The Board recognized the 2024 Area Special Olympics awardees from Oconee County High: Keshawn Norman, Harvey Aquino, Wyatt Cushman, and Will Bentley (1st); Claudia Bolle and Jordan Weiler (2nd); Amelia Hanks and Emma Johnson (3rd); and Madison Moser, LJ Thomas, and Adam Barraza (4th). The advisors are Kyle Tanner, Autumn Fullington, Allison Severson, Tiffany Greene, Jamie Hale, Elizabeth Nix, and Jessica Sullivan.

• The Board voted 5-0 to approve personnel recommendations as presented.

For more information on Monday’s meeting, please click here. Video of the meeting will be archived on YouTube on Wednesday.

The Board of Education’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at 6 p.m., in the Instructional Support Center.