Superintendent previews a new school year

Many of you have your own ways to tell when summer winds down. In these parts, some of the signs include cooler mornings, fewer swimmers at the Walhalla Swimming Pool, and the return of the area’s blue-collar Spittoono Festival. Another one is when the calendar turns to the opening of the public schools. In Oconee County this year, the public schools first day will be this Monday—August 20. And Dr. Michael Thorsland, district superintendent, believes the teachers and the classrooms will be ready for the first day. Speaking to county trustees at West-Oak High School, Thorsland confirmed that Dr. Brandon Blackwell, the school’s new principal, filled his last vacancy by hiring a business class teacher.