Superintendent reflects on Tamassee-Salem decision

Some words of reflection today from the Oconee superintendent of education on the controversial action to close Tamassee-Salem’s middle and high school.  Dr. Michael Thorsland remains convinced that the administration’s recommendation and the school board’s vote were correct, but he does concede that Tamassee-Salem parents have the right to be upset.  Especially those, he said, who are the parents of 10th and 11th grade students.  “I certainly understand their feelings,” Thorsland said during a school district-news media meeting this morning.  However, Thorsland also that wherever a high is closed a year in advance, there will always be an 11th grade class a year out from graduation.  He also conceded that if the school board had it do over, it may have decided to send Tamassee-Salem students to Walhalla at the start of this current year when the new Walhalla High opened for the first time.  As for making special effort to help Tamassee-Salem students become comfortable with attending Walhalla schools next fall, Thorsland said it is not too early for the principals involved to make the transition as smooth as possible.