Derick Austin

Putnam County Schools Superintendent Derick Austin points to the everrising contribution the local school board has to contribute toward statefunded education costs. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County Schools Superintendent Derick Austin points to the everrising contribution the local school board has to contribute toward statefunded education costs. IAN TOCHER/Staff

PCCSS budget leans heavily on local dollars

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 27, 2026
The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) is preparing to approve a fiscal 2027 budget that relies heavily on local funding while absorbing rising personnel, health care and other mandated costs.PCCSS Superintendent Derick Austin presented the proposed budget at 1 p.m. Aug.
Superintendent Derick Austin (left) and Assistant Superintendent Scott Sauls present the HEART award to Yolanda Smith. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

Superintendent Derick Austin (left) and Assistant Superintendent Scott Sauls present the HEART award to Yolanda Smith. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

BOE names HEART recipients; watches PCHS showcase

Bailey Ballard
Thursday, September 11, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Education presented its September HEART awards and watched the Putnam County High School showcase at its work session Sept. 8 in the PCHS theater.
Putnam County Charter School System Superintendent Derick Austin gave a detailed accounting of the organization’s latest budget on Monday, with another similar meeting to come at 5 p.m., Aug. 18, at the Board of Ed building in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County Charter School System Superintendent Derick Austin gave a detailed accounting of the organization’s latest budget on Monday, with another similar meeting to come at 5 p.m., Aug. 18, at the Board of Ed building in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

PCCSS superintendent Austin addresses $54-million budget

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) Board of Education held a pair of public education meetings on Monday about its Fiscal Year 2026 budget, with about a dozen citizens attending each time.
Along with several Putnam County Elementary School students at the ribbon cutting, Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin (center, pink tie) was joined by BOE board members Charles Trumbo (left, back row), BOE Chair Dr. Steve Weiner (sunglasses), and (l-r, back row,) Doris Clemons, Carol Ann Guthrie, and Rev. Simone Jones. PCES Principal Whitney Smith is standing to Austin’s right. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Along with several Putnam County Elementary School students at the ribbon cutting, Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin (center, pink tie) was joined by BOE board members Charles Trumbo (left, back row), BOE Chair Dr. Steve Weiner (sunglasses), and (l-r, back row,) Doris Clemons, Carol Ann Guthrie, and Rev. Simone Jones. PCES Principal Whitney Smith is standing to Austin’s right. IAN TOCHER/Staff

‘Collaboration’ key to new Putnam elementary school

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Sixteen months since the groundbreaking last March, and only a year after construction began, the new Putnam County Elementary School officially opened with a late-afternoon ribbon cutting last Thursday, hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce.
Members of the Putnam County High School Key Club, including President Carolyn Thomas (in pink, back of center “0”) pay tribute to the Eatonton Kiwanis’ 100th year of service to local communities. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Members of the Putnam County High School Key Club, including President Carolyn Thomas (in pink, back of center “0”) pay tribute to the Eatonton Kiwanis’ 100th year of service to local communities. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County Kiwanis celebrates century mark

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The Putnam County Kiwanis Club joined members of the Kiwanis’ Key Club at Putnam County High School on Friday morning to celebrate 100 years of service by Kiwanis within the county.
L-R: Students Noah Chamblee, Brittany Suazo Alvarez, Caroline Dial, and Kaden Thompkins received February Student of the Month certificates and swag bags from Putnam County School Superintendent Derick Austin. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Students Noah Chamblee, Brittany Suazo Alvarez, Caroline Dial, and Kaden Thompkins received February Student of the Month certificates and swag bags from Putnam County School Superintendent Derick Austin. IAN TOCHER/Staff

BOE recognizes top students, approves security cameras

Bailey Ballard
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) Board of Education met Tuesday to recognize its February Students of the Month and approve several resolutions.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Elementary school on schedule despite interference

Bailey McCully
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Superintendent Derick Austin updated the Board of Education during their monthly work session on Tuesday about the new elementary school.According to Austin, underground utilities and plumbing have begun to be installed.
Willie Reid holds up the sign he received to honor his 56 years of service. CONTRIBTUED

Willie Reid holds up the sign he received to honor his 56 years of service. CONTRIBTUED

BOE honors bus driver of 56 years

Bailey McCully
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The Putnam County Board of Education honored Superintendent Eric Arena and bus driver Willie Reid on May 20 for their years of service to the Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS).Reid received the Bus Driver of the Year award for his 56 years of driving history with PCCSS.
Austin (center) leans over Board Chair Dr. Steve Weiner’s shoulder as board members sign the approved contract. BAILEY McCULLY/Staff

Austin (center) leans over Board Chair Dr. Steve Weiner’s shoulder as board members sign the approved contract. BAILEY McCULLY/Staff

Austin approved as next PCCSS superintendent

Bailey McCully
Thursday, February 8, 2024
The Putnam County Board of Education met Monday night and heard updates about special programs and approved Assistant Superintendent Derick Austin to take over after Superintendent Eric Arena’s retirement.
Superintendent Eric Arena recently announced he is retiring at the end of May. (Photo via Putnam County Charter School System)

Superintendent Eric Arena recently announced he is retiring at the end of May. (Photo via Putnam County Charter School System)

Arena announces retirement; Austin to be successor

Bailey McCully
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The Putnam County Board of Education met on Jan. 22 to hear a presentation and vote on the new district calendar and personnel changes. Becky Nipper started off the meeting by presenting an assessment of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom.
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