Welcome to Thomaston-Upson Schools
In 1990, the community voted to consolidate the Thomaston City and Upson County School Systems creating one system that would serve all students within Thomaston and Upson County. The Thomaston-Upson School System opened its doors at the beginning of the 1992-1993 school year. With a little more than 4,100 students in grades PK-12, the Thomaston-Upson School System is small enough to maintain a friendly and safe environment while offering students an array of resources and opportunities often found in only the larger school systems. The Thomaston-Upson School System enjoys a strong connection with the community and views this as crucial to the long-term success of our schools. We encourage students to form bonds with local individuals and groups through community service and community involvement. Our employees are active in local civic organizations and volunteer their time for community events. The unity of school and community enriches our students’ and employees’ lives, improves our schools’ environments, and ultimately creates a community where young people can thrive. Together, our schools and community are working to fulfill the mission of Thomaston-Upson Schools, which is Excellence in education. . .every individual, every day.
Public Notice of Budget Hearing
The Thomaston-Upson Board of Education will be holding two public hearings for the purpose of providing an opportunity for public input on its proposed annual operating budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 7:30 a.m. and Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. Both of these meetings will be held at the Thomaston-Upson Board of Education, located at 205 Civic Center Drive, Thomaston, GA 30286. To view the FY2019 budget document, click here. This document is also available at the Thomaston-Upson Board of Education office during operating hours.
Dr. Larry Derico Named New TU Superintendent
By unanimous vote, the Thomaston-Upson County Board of Education has selected Dr. Larry Derico as Superintendent of the Thomaston-Upson County School System, succeeding Dr. Maggie Shook who is retiring at the end of the school year. Dr. Derico, currently Assistant Superintendent for TU Schools, has twenty-four years of public education experience.
Dr. Derico is a graduate of Columbus College with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Social Science and in Middle Grades Education. He holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Troy State University and a Specialist in Early Childhood from Columbus College. In 2009, he received the Ed.D. in Education Leadership from South Carolina State University. He began his educational career as an elementary teacher in 1994 in Meriwether County. From 2002-2005, he served as assistant principal at Upson Lee Middle School and Woodbury Elementary School. From 2005-2010, he was Director of Federal Programs in Thomaston-Upson Schools, and from 2010-2014 he was Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Since 2014, Dr. Derico has served as Assistant Superintendent. He is married to Vernecia Derico, and they have a daughter and a son.
Dr. Derico has been very involved in the local community. Currently, he is a member of Unite Upson, the Thomaston-Upson Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce's Industry Roundtable and is a graduate of Leadership Upson. He is Past-President of the Upson County United Way and a former member of the Education Alliance Committee, the Upson County Board of Elections, and the Upson County Archives Board. Dr. Derico and his wife are members of New Life Church. Through the church, he and his family are involved in numerous community ministries and services, to include Children’s Church.
Employment Opportunities
Have you or someone you know ever considered becoming a substitute teacher or maybe a school bus driver? The Thomaston-Upson School System is currently looking for high quality substitute teachers and bus drivers. Click here to apply.