Open dialogue sought to diversify school staffs

An official of Oconee NAACP sought assurance last night that the county schools will carefully and actively consider all applicants for teaching jobs, especially those of color.  The NAACP’s George Anderson said minority members of a teaching force can serve as incentive to students of color to someday want to enter the profession, and Superintendent Thorsland was quick to agree.  Thorsland indicated the district is open to a dialogue on ways more African-Americans and Latinos can land teaching jobs in the county.  Anderson urged Thorsland and the board of trustees to take part in a future meeting to discuss, such as the recent meeting that NAACP held with Seneca officials about diversity and inclusion in their city.  The superintendent said that he and the district’s personnel director, Al LeRoy, recently rolled out “the red carpet” for a young African-American male who indicates interest in teaching English in Oconee schools.