During its June 2 meeting, the Lake Oconee Academy Board of Governors recognized founding member Dick Schmidt, who is retiring from the board after serving since 2006.
Executive Director Dr. Brad Bowling presented Schmidt with a plaque engraved by LOA’s engineering class.
It reads: “With deepest gratitude, presented to Richard Schmidt, founding board member, Lake Oconee Academy, 2006-2025. In honor of your vision, leadership, and unwavering service. Your legacy lives on in every student, every classroom, and every success that follows.”
The plaque also includes a quote that Bowling said “epitomizes” Schmidt: “What makes greatness is starting something that lives after you.”
“I don’t know if there’s enough words that I can muster up and say thank you,” Bowling told Schmidt. “Your work lives on in every facet of this school. You have been a champion for so many children who have come through here, and I am very appreciative.”
Schmidt thanked the board for the opportunity to serve.
“In all of the things I’ve done in my lifetime and in my career, this may be one of the highlights because giving for the benefit of children is one of our highest callings,” Schmidt said about his time on board. “‘Living for oneself is too notoriously small an aim for any human creature’ [is a great quote]. It is true, and putting these kids first for so many days and so many years is a real highlight of my life.”
During the meeting, the board also approved capital projects to be completed this summer. The project's total is approximately $619,318, plus a 10% contingency, and will be funded from facilities and security grants, state monies, the LOA’s annual operating budget, and ESPLOST.
Projects include security upgrades, administration subfloor repairs, and encapsulation/ grading for the modular buildings; refinishing of the lower school gym floor and Titan Center gym floor; repairs for the 100 building student restrooms; replacement of the lower school and annex’s awnings; painting in multiple places across campus; and purchases of stage lights and curtains for the lower school, computers, projectors, and security enhancements.
The board also approved moving forward with architectural firm CROFT & Associates for drawings, renderings, and architectural work related to the planning of the new middle school.
As part of this decision, the board also approved sending a memorandum to the Greene County Board of Education summarizing a meeting held with CROFT about plans for the middle school so far.