Oconee Schools Reviewing State Recommendations On Reopening

Oconee County School Superintendent Jason Branch told the Board of Education at its meeting on Monday that he and his staff are reviewing the guidelines from the Georgia Department of Public Education and the Georgia Department of Public Health to determine how schools will reopen in the fall.

The two state departments had released earlier in the day guidelines for school systems regarding the reopening of schools following their closure this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That document offers different scenarios for school systems, based on the spread of the disease in the community being served, and schools are expected to reopen this fall with in-person classes, distance learning, or a hybrid model.

Branch told the Board that the school system had welcomed back that day its 12-month staff to schools around the county and to the central offices.

“It was wonderful to see so many staff in-person after several weeks and months of virtual meetings and challenging environments,” Branch said.

Among the continuing challenges facing the school system is the lack of a state budget, and the Board at its meeting next week will be asked to approve a resolution to continue spending for July and August at roughly the same level as last year.

For more on the story, with a video of the Board of Education meeting, please go to Oconee County Observations.