Oconee to strive to keep in-class instruction

When he meets this morning with elementary school principals, the Oconee superintendent will direct that their schools return to many of the same COVID protocols followed last year.  But Dr. Michael Thorsland made clear last night the last thing the Oconee district wants to do is to abandon its decision to return to face-to-face teaching.  Thorsland, however, conceded the decision was made earlier this summer before the delta variant began to take hold, affecting many young people.  He spoke during a county board of trustees’ meeting held at Walhalla High School where, earlier yesterday, the entire football team was ordered to quarantine after positive tests of at least three players and/or coaches.  During public comment last night, a handful of members of the public complained the county’s public schools aren’t doing enough to protect children.