Derrick Austin

PCCSS Superintendent Derrick Austin (left) presented school bags and certificates to Putnam County students receiving Superintendent Student of the Month Awards for February (l-r): Catherine Wooten, Sophia Kelly, and Rivka Brown. ALIVIA BLANTON/Staff

PCCSS Superintendent Derrick Austin (left) presented school bags and certificates to Putnam County students receiving Superintendent Student of the Month Awards for February (l-r): Catherine Wooten, Sophia Kelly, and Rivka Brown. ALIVIA BLANTON/Staff

Putnam Board of Education approves $246K in purchases

Alivia Blanton
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Education approved the purchase of a $149,000 school bus, a $97,000 facilities contract, and discussed an $18 million banking proposal Feb. 23, during the second of two routinely scheduled monthly meetings.
Putnam County Charter School System board members, including (l-r) Charles Trumbo, Simone Jones, Doris Clemons, Chairman Steve Weiner, and Vice Chair Carol Ann Guthrie display their 2025 Exemplary Board Recognition from the Georgia School Boards Association. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Charter School System board members, including (l-r) Charles Trumbo, Simone Jones, Doris Clemons, Chairman Steve Weiner, and Vice Chair Carol Ann Guthrie display their 2025 Exemplary Board Recognition from the Georgia School Boards Association. CONTRIBUTED

PCCSS celebrates teamwork and leadership

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) recognized exceptional service, teamwork, and leadership during its recent board meeting, held at Putnam County Primary School (PCPS) on the same night students and teachers presented their annual Christmas show.
District Teacher of the Year Sharon Creek, alongside Superintendent Derick Austin, holds up the Teacher of the Year plaque, where her name will soon be engraved. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

District Teacher of the Year Sharon Creek, alongside Superintendent Derick Austin, holds up the Teacher of the Year plaque, where her name will soon be engraved. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

PCCSS posts policy updates, reports score improvements

Bailey Ballard
Thursday, November 20, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Education hosted its monthly board meeting to recognize students and staff and to hear updates on CCRPI scores and incoming board policy changes.
Ian Tocher/Staff

Ian Tocher/Staff

PCHS graduation signals new beginnings

Ian Tocher
Thursday, May 29, 2025
“Now is when the struggle becomes real for you, and it will become real,” Putnam County High School Principal Dr. Andrew Cooper told 193 graduating seniors last Friday night at Al Reaves Field, behind Putnam County Middle School.
Putnam County School Superintendent Derick Austin recognizes the Student of the Month of each school, from left, Hannah Erickson (PC High School), Zoe Almanza Patino (PC Primary School), Charles Jones (PC Middle School), and Myles Treadwell (PC Elementary School). Each student was celebrated at Monday night’s board of education meeting and recognized along with their family members. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Putnam County School Superintendent Derick Austin recognizes the Student of the Month of each school, from left, Hannah Erickson (PC High School), Zoe Almanza Patino (PC Primary School), Charles Jones (PC Middle School), and Myles Treadwell (PC Elementary School). Each student was celebrated at Monday night’s board of education meeting and recognized along with their family members. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

BOE discusses new bus, personnel, school, camps

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Putnam County School Board members jumped early on the proverbial school bus at Monday night’s meeting and agreed to purchase a new bus before auto parts import tariffs increased the price.“The money is in the budget in transportation funds ….
BAILEY MCCULLY/Staff

BAILEY MCCULLY/Staff

BOE honors RESA winners and Smith’s retirement

Bailey McCully
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Monday’s Board of Education meeting was full of squeals, smiles, and tears as kindergarten through 12th-grade students received their awards from the Oconee RESA regional art competition. The board said goodbye to board member Eugene Smith.
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