COVID relief money is a bonanza for Oconee schools

Already the federal government has poured millions of dollars into the Oconee public schools in the form of relief from the world pandemic.  The total figure is likely to increase four times over, provided President Biden gets to sign the latest relief bill.  Dr. Michael Thorsland, district superintendent, learned during a superintendents’ meeting last week with Molly Spearman, the state superintendent, that this latest relief package could raise to $30 million the total that the county public schools are getting for the necessary cleaning supplies and other materials that have been used to protect staff and students from COVID-19 spread.  The rules covering the use of the monies allow for other types of expenditures, one of which is likely to be the replacement this summer of the heating and air conditioning system in the approximate 30-year old Seneca High School.  Gloria Moore, district finance officer, told last night’s board of trustees’ work session that the last round of relief money meant $9.4 million for the public schools.