Watauga High School and all of the schools in the Watauga County Schools system will open as planned on Thursday, August 7^th and will operate on a regular schedule, according to Watauga County Schools Community Relations Director, Marshall Ashcraft.

The freshman orientation scheduled Tuesday was canceled because of problems with the fire alarm system.   Ashcraft said the alarm system will not be repaired until the weekend, but a fire watch team will be in place at the high school on Thursday and Friday to ensure student safety.  The fire watch team will be made up of fire marshals and other personnel and will monitor the high school building. 

According to Ashcraft, Fire trucks will be stationed on site during the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. until the fire alarm system is returned to service.  Students will not be allowed to remain in the building after 4:00 p.m.