The Oconee County Board of Education paused its regular meeting on Monday (Nov. 10) night to thank and honor Debra Harden, who stepped in as interim superintendent and then interim associate superintendent during the transition in school leadership.
New Superintendent Melissa Butler, in her first superintendent report to the Board, said that Harden will be leaving her current position effective Nov. 21. Butler said she “will forever be grateful for my time working alongside her.”
Board Chair Michael Ransom followed, telling Harden “We owe you a debt of gratitude,” citing her assistance since July 1 in the transition to new leadership and her help with the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) referendum approved by voters on Nov. 4.
Earlier in the meeting, when the Board named former Board Chair Kim Argo as the latest inductee into the Oconee County Schools Hall of Fame, Argo asked Harden to come to the front of the room to join in the celebration.
“She was my superintendent,” Argo said. Argo was a teacher for the district for 16 years beginning in 1983, and Harden was superintendent from January of 1993 to August of 1999.
In other action on Monday, the Board approved a new policy stating that all cell phones and personal electronic devices must be turned off and stored away during the bell-to-bell school day.
As an exception, high school students may access cell phones and personal electronic devices during appropriate times defined by the school administration.
Chief Financial Officer Peter Adams told the Board that ESPLOST collections in September were up 6.0 percent over the same month a year ago, with collections greater than $1 million in 14 of the last 16 months.
Comments On Harden
Butler, who took over as superintendent on Oct. 14, said at the meeting on Monday that "we are preparing for an important transition within our leadership team. Dr. Deborah Harden will officially return to retirement on November 21st.”
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| Harden, Argo, At Center 11/10/2025 |
“Dr. Harden's leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on Oconee County Schools, she said, “not only in the past few months, but throughout her long history with this district.”
“She served as superintendent from 1993 to 1999, stepped in again this summer as interim superintendent, and has continued providing guidance and stability in her most recent role as associate superintendent,” Butler continued.
“On a personal note,” Butler continued, “I have been deeply privileged to learn from Dr. Harden, and I will forever be grateful for my time working alongside her. I know many others across the county feel the same way.”
“Words really can't express how thankful we are for her service and her heart for Oconee County Schools,” Butler said.
“I would like to echo Dr. Butler's words,” Ransom interrupted the superintendent report to say. “It is very awesome of you to come work with us, and your willingness to serve and your servant's heart and leading us through a transition time.”
“Because of your hard work and dedication, your leadership and experience getting us through the transition and through ESPLOST,” he continued, “we're very thankful, and thank you very much.”
Harden was superintendent from January of 1993 to August of 1999, serving as the last elected superintendent of Oconee County Schools and the first appointed superintendent.
Argo Recognition
Argo became the 39th member of the OCS Hall of Fame. Photos of the inductees are on display in the Instructional Support Center, where the Monday meeting took place.
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| Ransom, 11/10/2025 |
Argo spent 16 years on the Board of Education, the longest tenure in district history.
She served as Board Chair from September of 2021 until she stepped down from the Board at the end of last year.
Argo started her career in 1983 at Oconee County Intermediate School, which is now Colham Ferry Elementary School. She also taught at Oconee County Elementary School.
“This is such a well-deserved honor,” Ransom said in a statement released after the meeting. “Ms. Argo always had her focus on what was best for our students and our teachers.”
“She was the driving force behind so much of what this district accomplished during her tenure,” the statement continues. “Oconee County Schools wouldn't be where it is today without her steady hand and deep commitment.”
Policy On Use Of Personal Electronic Devices
Tony McCullers, Chief Technology Officer for Oconee County Schools, told the Board that the policy statement on use of personal electronic devices by students before the Board was drafted in response to House Bill 340, passed by the state legislature earlier this year.
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| Butler 11/10/2025 |
The policy adopted by the Board on Monday, on the recommendation of Butler, goes further, including in the prohibition high school students, but allowing for exceptions at the system’s two high schools “during appropriate times defined by the school administration.”
Personal Electronic Devices are defined in the policy as “devices with functionalities such as wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission.”
“This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, e-readers, wireless bluetooth headphones, and other smart devices,” according to the policy.
Bell-to-Bell School Day is defined as “the period beginning with the first bell signaling the start of the school day and ending with the final bell signaling the conclusion of the instructional school day, including all breaks, transitions, and assemblies.”
“All cell phones and personal electronic devices must be turned off and stored away during the bell-to-bell school day,” the policy states.
These restrictions do not apply to school buses, bus stops, or school grounds before and after the bell-to-bell day.
Financial Reports
Chief Financial Officer Adams reported that the General Fund Cash Balance stood at $48.7 million on Oct. 31 of this year, down from $49.4 million on Sept. 30. The Cash Balance on Oct. 31 of 2024 was $43.1 million.
The Fiscal Year 2026 Budget adopted by the Board lists $50.9 million in ad valorem or property tax revenue. Only $3.7 million has been received as of the end of October. The deadline for paying those taxes is Nov. 15.
The debt service escrow account for ESPLOST stood at $15.4 million on Oct. 31, up from $14.4 million on Oct. 31 of last year.
Adams reported that total spending for current ESPLOST projects stood at $72.6 million at the end of October, up from $72.4 million at the end of September.
The Federal Funds budget anticipates $7.7 million in revenue, with only $1.3 million received, according to another report Adams presented to the Board.
“These funds are reimbursement based,” Adams said, “and we will see these funds continue to be paid out to us throughout the fiscal year.”
“We still do not anticipate any reimbursement delays with the federal government shutdown,” he continued, “but we will continue to monitor any communication we get from the Georgia Department of Education on this matter.”
Other Board Action
On Monday, the Board also agreed to spend $191,188 with by Rush Truck Centers for a cellular camera system for system buses. Funding will come from ESPLOST and General Fund monies, the Board was told.
The Board also recognized Custodian Johnny Pope of Dove Creek Middle as the November Pursuit of Excellence Award Winner.
The Board recognized FFA medalists from North Oconee High for their efforts at the Georgia National Fair and students from Malcom Bridge Middle FFA, also for their performances at the Georgia National Fair.
No Oconee County residents addressed the Board during Public Communication opportunity.
Video
The video below is on the Oconee County Schools YouTube Channel.
Recognition of Argo is at 4:40 in the video.
Butler began her superintendent’s report at 22:51 in the video.
Adams made his financial reports beginning at 39:01 in the video.
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