Slow start for elementary school students

Starting Aug. 31, students will return to Rae C. Stedman Elementary School under a schedule that splits the student body into two groups to avoid the possible spread of COVID-19 among students and staff.

The Petersburg School Board approved the new schedule at their regular school board meeting on Tuesday in a 4-1 vote. The schedule follows recommendations from the state's Smart Start plan. Discussion on the school district's schedule began at a special school board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 6, but the final vote was postponed until Tuesday when the special meeting ran close to four hours.

Onc...