Oconee County School Board Completes Interviews With Seven Applicants For Superintendent In First Round Of Screening

***Board To Move To Next Phase In August***

The Oconee County Board of Education on Wednesday completed the first phase of its screening of the 19 applications it received for superintendent of Oconee County Schools.

Board Chair Michael Ransom said in an email on Wednesday evening that the Board had interviewed seven applicants in the three sessions it has held and that the Board “in the weeks ahead” will review notes from the interviews.

Ransom said he anticipated beginning the second round of interviews in early August, depending on what is possible in terms of scheduling.

Ransom said earlier that the Board hopes to be able to name a finalist in September and have a new superintendent in place by Jan. 1 of 2026 or even earlier.

The Board met for three and half hours on Wednesday after meeting for nearly four hours on Thursday and eight hours on Friday in the first round of interviews of prospective superintendent candidates.

The meetings took place at the law offices of Fortson, Bentley and Griffin, 2500 Daniells Bridge Road.

Ransom On Applicants

Ransom said in his email message on Wednesday that the Board had interviewed the seven applicants and was “impressed by the level of leadership and experience each brought to the table.”

Board Votes To Go Into Executive Session 7/26/2025

“We’re fortunate to have a strong pool of candidates to consider,” he said. “In the weeks ahead, we will carefully review our interview notes and begin preparing for the second round of interviews.”

“We anticipate beginning the second round of interviews in early August, pending scheduling availability,” he added.

The Board began its called meetings to interview candidates for superintendent at 1 p.m. on Wednesday in a small meeting room at the third-floor offices of Fortson, Bentley and Griffin.

As the Board had done in its sessions on July 10 and July 11, it voted immediately on Wednesday

to go into executive session, left the small room, and moved to another room for the interviews.

According to Oconee County Schools Communications Director Steven Colquitt, the Board ended the session on Wednesday at 4:28 p.m.

I attended the opening of each of the three called meetings of the Board, but I did not stay until it returned from executive session.

Jason Branch announced in April that he was stepping down as superintendent effective June 30.

The Board appointed Debra Harden to serve as interim superintendent until Dec. 31 or a new superintendent is hired.