SDOC Board Meeting: New Principal at Orchard Park; Budget for Upcoming School Year Discussed

At its regularly scheduled board meeting last night, the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees hired Mrs. Kerri King as the new principal of Orchard Park Elementary. Mrs. King, a Walhalla High graduate, began her career in 2012 as a 4th grade teacher at Oakway Intermediate School. She joined the staff of Orchard Park Elementary School in 2016 as a reading coach before moving to administration as an assistant principal in 2020.

Also during last night’s meeting, school trustees were reminded that it’s time to bring their budget for next year to the county council. While bottom line numbers remain uncertain due to the differing versions of state aid to be promulgated by the two legislative chambers at the state capital, it was clear the district will seek an increase in county aid. That doesn’t mean, however, that they will seek to raise millage rates in Oconee County. Superintendent Dr. Michael Thorsland expressed optimism that countywide re-assessment, along with increased revenues, could do the trick…