| Welcome to Columbia County School System! |
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Join Our School System! |
Due to a long-standing commitment to excellence, the Columbia school system enjoys an enviable reputation for success that sets the standard for academic achievement. One of our standards of excellence toward school improvement is to hire and cultivate employees dedicated to being the best possible. Our existing Superintendent will retire at the end of this school year, and he has agreed to serve in a transitional role for the School Board during the 2007-2008 year to assist the newly appointed superintendent. We welcome interested parties that meet qualifications to apply.
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Our Community and Schools |
Columbia County is located in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) of Georgia, approximately 135 miles east of Atlanta and five miles northwest of Augusta, the dominant urban center of the area. Rapid growth in the county has transformed the county from a rural neighbor of Augusta to a major suburban county. Over the next five years we will need additional classrooms at two elementary schools, a new elementary school, a new middle school, and a new high school. (See 5-year building program budget) Columbia County is predominantly residential with household and per capita income levels that rank well above the state average. These factors combined with low-cost living, affordable housing, a premier school system, access to world-class health care and a mild climate marks the area as a destination of choice for many people.
The Columbia County School System currently operates sixteen elementary schools (PK-5), seven middle schools (6-8), four high schools (9-12), and one alternative school (6-12). Our school system is ranked in the top ten percent largest school systems in the state of Georgia with an enrollment of over 21,000 students. Last Spring, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI) awarded district accreditation to Columbia County School System as a quality school system. Only three other school systems in Georgia have attained this accreditation. Our schools, along with many other measures of quality of life, were a part of Money Magazine naming Evans, Georgia as one of the top places to live in the United States. Even more recently, Expansion Magazine, a leading national publication for expansion and relocation, has honored Columbia County School System with a “Blue Ribbon” rating. This Blue Ribbon rating is determined by evaluating college-board scores, graduation rates, and the community’s financial commitment to education. The education of our children has always been our highest priority and we are very appreciative of the recognition we continue to receive from sources outside our community like Expansion Magazine and SACS-CASI.
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Our Finances |
In spite of the system's rapid enrollment growth and building improvements, the system's mill levy is 17.18 and has not been increased in over six years. The total operating budget approved by the Board for 2006-2007 school year was $151 million. Local revenues account for 35% of the School System's operating budget, whereas state funding accounts for 59%.
When Columbia County voters approved a penny sales tax in 1997 for education, they opened the door for additional revenues to help fund specific projects in Columbia County Schools, pay off previous debt, and eliminate 3.75 mills for school debt. Since 1997, SPLOST and Bond Proceeds have provided over $109,000,000 for new buses, high school tech labs, the purchase of new classroom computers, retiring debt and new school construction and building renovations/additions.
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Our Board |
| Columbia County's five-member School Board is the official governing body for the school system. The Superintendent serves as a ex-officio member of the Board and acts as the Secretary-Treasurer. Columbia County Board of Education has always had a respectful, collaborative relationship with the Superintendent that offers joint cooperation working toward our common goal of providing a world class education for all students. |
Our Personnel |
We recruit and retain highly qualified administrative, certified, and non-certified personnel to provide a world class educational opportunity to all students. We are the largest employer in Columbia County and employ 2910 personnel to serve 28 schools and central office administration.
The Columbia County Board of Education is seeking applications for Superintendent of Schools. Select the link at left "Application Process" to begin the application process. Completed applications should be received by November 15, 2006.
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