The Oconee County Board of Education and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners will hold a joint public meeting at the Instructional Support Center on Monday, July 6, at 4 p.m. to discuss a proposed transfer of facilities and property between the two governing bodies......More
The Oconee County Board of Education and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners will hold a joint public meeting at the Instructional Support Center on Monday, July 6, at 4 p.m. to discuss a proposed transfer of facilities and property between the two governing bodies. Under the proposal, the Board of Education would assume ownership and management responsibilities for the Oconee County Civic Center, while the Board of Commissioners would receive approximately 42.7 acres of property currently owned by the Board of Education on U.S. 441 near Bishop. If approved, the Civic Center theater would be used as a daily classroom space by Oconee County High School students and would significantly expand fine arts opportunities for students throughout the Oconee County High School cluster. The facility would provide additional space for instruction, rehearsals, theatrical productions, concerts, and other school-related functions while helping create greater parity across the district’s fine arts programs. The Civic Center would continue to serve as an important community resource. Public access would remain available for voting operations, rentals, and other community uses, ensuring the facility remains accessible for local events and gatherings. Under the current agreement, Oconee County Schools is responsible for 50 percent of all maintenance and capital improvement costs associated with the Civic Center. Because the facility is not owned by the Board of Education, these expenses must currently be paid from the district’s general fund. The proposed arrangement would allow Oconee County Schools to utilize Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) funds for eligible facility maintenance and capital improvements, reducing the need to rely on local property tax dollars for those expenses. “We appreciate the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Board of Commissioners on a plan that would benefit our students while ensuring the Civic Center remains an important resource for the entire community,” Board of Education Chair Michael Ransom said. “This is a thoughtful approach that supports responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and provides long-term value for Oconee County.” “This proposal reflects a strong partnership between Oconee County Schools and the Board of Commissioners to make the best use of public assets, avoid duplication of facilities, and provide lasting value for students, families, and the broader Oconee County community,” Superintendent Dr. Melissa Butler said. The joint meeting will provide an opportunity for both boards to publicly discuss the proposal, its community impact, and the vision behind the transfer.
Instructional Support Center
