News Summary
Preston County Schools has officially begun its school year without the traditional staggered start, a change prompted by the West Virginia Department of Education. The abrupt decision, made shortly before the term began, required quick adjustments to meet state mandates for instructional days. While the new approach aims to keep classes compliant, it has drawn mixed reactions from the community and staff, who expressed a need for more planning time. The district remains focused on ensuring a smooth start for all students, particularly newcomers.
Preston County, West Virginia — School Year Launches Without Staggered Start
Preston County officially began the 2025-26 school year on Monday, August 18, 2025, marking a significant shift from previous years. For the first time since 2020, the school district did not implement staggered start days for students, a change prompted by directives from the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE).
Sudden Cancellation of Staggered Start
Traditionally, Preston County Schools had used a staggered start schedule since the 2020 academic year. This approach allowed students to begin classes in stages based on grade levels, aimed at easing transitions and reducing large crowding issues at the start of school. However, in a recent move, the West Virginia Department of Education advised districts to cancel this practice for the current year, citing compliance issues with state law.
The decision was rooted in a notification from the WVDE, which clarified that the staggered start schedule violated state code requiring 180 independent instructional days. Consequently, Preston County Schools had to overhaul plans to ensure the required instructional days were met without the staggered approach. The district’s administration was required to adjust schedules quickly, leading to the abrupt change just days before the new school year.
Official Response and Reactions
Superintendent Brad Martin publicly addressed the schedule change via a statement on social media, offering a formal apology to students, parents, and staff for the last-minute adjustment. He explained that while proposals to recapture instructional time were submitted to meet legal requirements, they did not align with the state’s law, leading to the elimination of staggered starts for this and future school years.
Despite understanding the regulatory reasons, the decision was met with disappointment from school administrators and some community members. Principal Todd Seymour of Preston High School expressed frustration over the timing, noting a wish for additional planning time to explore alternative solutions to ease the transition for freshmen and returning students alike.
Preparations and Community Engagement
In the days leading up to the first day of school, Preston High School held a Freshman Open House on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The event was well attended, with roughly three-quarters of the incoming freshman class participating. It featured school tours and schedule reviews designed to help students familiarize themselves with the campus and their classes.
Principal Seymour reported being pleasantly surprised by the high turnout, with many students lining up outside and showing enthusiasm for the upcoming year. The open house provided a vital opportunity for staff and students to connect before the academic activities officially began, especially in a context where the traditional staged start was canceled.
School Schedule and Upcoming Events
Preston County Schools scheduled kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students to start classes on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Additionally, the district announced that there would be no school on Friday, August 22, to allow staff to participate in professional development activities aimed at supporting the new school year.
Staff Efforts and Outlook
The district’s staff and faculty were commended for their rapid adaptation to the unforeseen schedule adjustments. Despite the last-minute changes, many students expressed excitement about beginning their year, and staff remained committed to providing a positive educational environment. Overall, the transition highlighted the district’s capacity to respond swiftly to changing regulations while maintaining focus on student success.
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Additional Resources
- WV News: Preston County Schools Move Forward Following Staggered Start Cancellation
- WBOY: WV Department of Education Gives Reason for Scrapping Preston County Staggered Start
- MSN: Preston County Schools Alters Plan for Staggered Start to Year
- WV News: Preston County Schools to Begin Year Without Staggered Start
- WAJR: Preston County Board of Education Approves Closure of Rowlesburg School, Fellowsville Elementary
- Wikipedia: Education in West Virginia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google Search: Preston County Schools
- Google News: Preston County
- Google Scholar: Preston County Education
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