The Oconee County Board of Education and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners have finalized an agreement that expands educational opportunities for students and preserves a valuable community resource, while meeting the long-term needs of Oconee County.

The intergovernmental agreement was signed Tuesday, July 6, by Board of Education Chairman Michael Ransom and Board of Commissioners Chairman John Daniell during a joint meeting.

Under the agreement, the Board of Education will assume ownership and management of the Oconee County Civic Center, while the Board of Commissioners will assume ownership of approximately 42.7 acres of Board of Education property located along U.S. 441 near Bishop.

The Civic Center theater will become a daily instructional space for Oconee County High School students while significantly expanding fine arts opportunities for elementary and middle school students throughout the Oconee County High School cluster. The facility will provide additional space for instruction, rehearsals, theatrical productions, concerts, and other school-related activities, creating greater access to high-quality fine arts experiences for students across the district.

The Civic Center will continue to serve as an important community resource. Public access will remain available for voting operations, rentals, and other community events, ensuring the facility continues to serve residents while also supporting expanded educational programming.

Under the previous arrangement, Oconee County Schools was responsible for 50 percent of the Civic Center's maintenance and capital improvement costs. With the Board of Education assuming ownership, eligible maintenance and capital improvements can be funded through Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) proceeds, reducing reliance on local property tax revenues for those expenses.

The Board of Commissioners currently has no immediate plans for the property. County leaders said the site could support future community needs, including a park or an emergency medical services station serving that area of the county.

"This agreement reflects a shared commitment to serving the people of Oconee County," Board of Education Chairman Michael Ransom said. "The Civic Center will provide expanded opportunities for our students while continuing to serve the broader community, and we believe this partnership will benefit our students and Oconee County residents for years to come.”

“The preservation of 42 acres of land and the expansion of fine arts opportunities for Oconee County students are positive outcomes that allow us to make the best use of existing resources for our residents,” said Chairman John Daniell. “We look forward to a continued productive partnership with Oconee County Schools.”

The Board of Education will assume ownership and operational responsibility for the Civic Center on Sept. 1, 2026.