After 25 years with the DeKalb School System, athletics director Ron Sebree retired on Dec. 16.

Sebree is leaving DeKalb to be the next athletics director for the Social Circle City School District beginning Feb. 1.

Sebree served as athletics director for the DeKalb system for four years and takes pride in the fact that more than 780 students received over $45 million in scholarships on his watch.

“I will always have a special place in my heart for DeKalb County Schools,” Sebree said. “I am indebted to the school system that gave me the opportunity to grow from a football coach to assistant principal and leave as the athletic director.”

During his tenure, Sebree guided the DeKalb Athletics Department in improving the quality of equipment and uniforms to meet the standards of the Georgia High School Association and National Federation of High Schools; oversaw the enhancement of the Athletics Web page; and helped implement the Senior All-Star events in football, baseball, basketball, soccer and softball.

Sebree also focused on middle school sports to aid in the building of the varsity programs that have brought home team state championships in football, basketball, soccer, baseball and track.

He said the department was able to accomplish many of its goals.

“We also improved accountability for funds we collected through ticket sales, stadium rentals, concessions, advertisements and sponsorships as well as for the expenditures in purchasing equipment, uniforms and supplies,” he said.

The Social Circle position represents a homecoming for Sebree, who began his coaching and teaching career there in 1981 and stayed five years, serving as offensive line coach and defensive coordinator as well as junior varsity basketball coach.

He joined the staff at Columbia High in DeKalb in 1986. From 1988 to 1998, he was head football coach. He went on to become an assistant principal a year and a half, then joined the Central Office Athletic Department as athletic coordinator in fall 2002.

Sebree said he’s excited about his new job. “I will get the opportunity to work with some of my former players and their children in a place that has always been special to me.”