About Us
Message from Executive Director
Welcome!
As teachers and administrators, you work relentlessly to educate the students in southeast Georgia. At Okefenokee RESA, we work to support the schools and districts in their educational missions.
Our consultants and support staff have always worked to provide the highest quality of service for our school districts through professional learning opportunities, cooperative purchasing opportunities, and technical services.
Please take a look at our Classes and Member Services pages to see all the ways we can help educators.
Thanks so much,
Dr. Greg Jacobs
gjacobs@okresa.org
Staff
History of RESAs
Current and Former Okefenokee RESA Executive Directors
Dr. Greg Jacobs
July 2017 – Present
Ms. Terri DeLoach
January 2017 – June 2017
(Interim)
Ms. Peggy Stovall
2009 – 2016
Dr. Teresa Pack
2001 – 2009
Dr. Robert Bellamy
2000 – 2001
Dr. A. L. Woodard
1970 – 1999
History of RESA’s in Georgia
The first educational service agencies began operation in Georgia in 1966 as providers of “shared services.” In 1972, the Georgia General Assembly created a network of Cooperative Educational Service agencies (CESAs). In 1986, legislation established the current network of Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs) which has been refined and improved by subsequent legislation. RESAs are defined and regulated by Georgia Statute (O.C.G.A. 20-2-270, 20-2-270.1, 20-2-271, 20-2-272, 20-2-273, and 20-2-274).
- Georgia RESAs are governed by local Boards of Control that are established by the Georgia General Assembly. Duties and operation of Boards of Control are specified by legislation and by State Board of Education Rule. (State Board Rule 160-5-1-.13)
- Board of Control membership is comprised of all superintendents of member school systems, presidents of the institutions of the University System of Georgia and technical colleges in the region, and a representative of the Georgia Regional Library System.
- Boards of Control function like local Boards of Education. They establish policy, approve budgets and personnel, determine services of the RESA, and evaluate the agency’s work. Boards of Control function as the school boards for special schools operated by the RESA.
- The RESA governance system allows the local school systems and public colleges to determine, manage, evaluate, and partially fund the services they receive. In Georgia RESAs, those who know local educational needs best — Superintendents and College Presidents — own and direct regional services of the RESA.
- Georgia RESAs are governed by local Boards of Control that are established by the Georgia General Assembly. Duties and operation of Boards of Control are specified by legislation and by State Board of Education Rule. (State Board Rule 160-5-1-.13)
Board of Control
The Okefenokee RESA Board of Control is comprised of the Superintendents of our 9 member systems as well as the Presidents of South Georgia State College and Coastal Pines Technology College and the Director of the Okefenokee Regional Library.
Mission
Okefenokee RESA supports our local school systems in building capacity of teachers, leaders, and staff through professional learning and technical services that lead to increased student achievement and college and career ready graduates.
Vision
High Quality Service and Support for All
Beliefs
- Research-based professional learning improves the effectiveness of educators.
- Rigorous instructional practices support the preparation of college and career ready graduates.
- School Improvement initiatives support student learning.
- Shared services, including cooperative purchasing, increase cost-effectiveness for systems.
- Collaboration with other agencies maximizes the impact of educational initiatives.
- Capacity building in schools and systems is the key to sustained improvement.
- Accountability, through progress monitoring, promotes and ensures continuous improvement.