Back to School Today in Oconee County

Oconee County school children return to class today for the first time since March, so be sure to watch out for school buses during the morning and afternoon commutes. Most students have opted for face-to-face instruction, while the rest will resume their studies virtually. Due to COVID-19, this is a most anticipated start to a new year of academics and, with precautions against virus spread in place, the hope is that all will go well. Ready for the year also are Oconee County’s 17 resource officers. One is from the Walhalla Police Department, and sixteen of them are employed by the Oconee Sheriff’s Office, including Corp. Michael Thompson. He will be assigned to Seneca High School. Thompson decided to transfer from uniformed patrol to the school resource division after a 2016 shooting incident at Townville Elementary School. Thompson said, “The tragedy there in Townville kind of reminded me why I got into law enforcement and I felt like no kid should ever be in fear whether in … school or out …”