Oconee County Schools board unanimously approves Dr. Butler as superintendent

Oconee County Schools board members voted unanimously during a Sept. 18 special session to appoint Dr. Butler as the district’s superintendent, the board announced during the meeting. The board approved the appointment 5-0 after a required 14-calendar-day waiting period.

Dr. Butler, the incoming superintendent, said she was “so excited to have this opportunity to serve at Oconee County Schools and the students here. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming so far, and I cannot wait to integrate my family into this community. I believe in public education. I believe it's important, and educators are the glue that holds our society together.”

The board said Dr. Butler will be sworn in at the Oct. 6 board meeting and will begin her duties on Oct. 14. A board member stated those dates during the meeting. Dr. Butler described an initial 90-day plan that includes visiting each school for about a half day, touring classrooms with principals and meeting local officials.

The appointment followed a motion to approve the agenda, which passed, and a subsequent motion to approve Dr. Butler as superintendent. The meeting record shows the final vote on the appointment was 5-0. Board members identified by surname during the meeting included Hammond, Toole, Parrish and Hammock; an additional vote was recorded by the meeting chair. The transcript indicates the board waited 14 calendar days before taking the final vote.

In remarks and answers to questions, Dr. Butler said her transition has been “busy” as she finishes work in the district she is leaving, which she described as being in Lansing. She said her family plans to relocate in the spring semester, with her initial move in the first week of October. She said her daughter is a student at the University of Georgia, her son is a college sophomore, and her husband is a teacher.

The board adjourned after the appointment and brief remarks. No other formal business was recorded in the transcript.