News Summary
Preston County schools have begun the academic year without the staggered start schedule that has been in place since 2020. The West Virginia Department of Education mandated this change, citing compliance issues with state-required instructional days. Despite the abrupt transition, school officials have successfully managed preparation and orientation events for students, ensuring a smooth entry into the school year. Community events, such as freshman orientation, have helped students adapt to the changes, with positive feedback from both staff and students as they embrace the new school year.
Preston, West Virginia — School Year Begins Without Staggered Start Due to Last-Minute Policy Changes
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Preston County schools officially commenced classes for the 2025-26 academic year, marking a departure from the traditional phased entry for students. The district announced that the staggered start schedule—implemented since 2020 to ease students into the school year—was canceled across all levels.
Sudden Cancellation of Staggered Start
This change came as a result of directives issued by the West Virginia Department of Education. The department advised against maintaining the staggered start days, citing concerns that the schedule conflicted with state requirements for instructional days. Specifically, the department stated that the staggered approach did not fulfill the state’s mandate of providing 180 independent instructional days for each student during the school year.
State’s Intervention and School Policies
According to officials within the Preston County Schools administration, the decision to eliminate the staggered start was made after submitting proposals to recoup instructional time through alternative means. However, these proposals did not comply with the state code governing compulsory instructional days, leading to the statewide recommendation to proceed with a uniform start for all students.
School Leadership Responds
Superintendent Brad Martin issued a public apology on Facebook, explaining that the abrupt schedule change was unavoidable and thanking staff for their quick adaptation. He noted that although efforts were made to accommodate additional instructional time, none of the options met the legal requirements, resulting in the decision to cancel staggered start days for this year and possibly future years.
Community and School Events
Despite the last-minute adjustments, Preston High School hosted a Freshman Open House on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The event was well attended, with approximately three-fourths of the incoming freshman class participating. The open house included guided tours of the school facilities and a review of schedules for new students, providing them with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the environment before school officially began.
Principal Todd Seymour expressed that he was surprised but pleased with the turnout, noting students and parents lined up across the parking lot. The event’s success was seen as a positive step in helping students transition into the new school year despite the changes in the schedule.
Preparation and Orientation for Students
School officials emphasized that orientation activities for younger students, including kindergarten and pre-K students, were scheduled to start on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. These sessions aim to familiarize young learners with their school environment and prepare them for their first day.
Additionally, no classes are scheduled for Friday, August 22, to accommodate professional development sessions for staff, ensuring teachers are prepared to support students through the transition.
Staff and Student Response to the Change
Despite the unexpected schedule adjustments, school staff remained positive and adaptable. Many students expressed excitement for the new school year, emphasizing their readiness to begin classes under the revised plan. The district officials commended the staff’s responsiveness and praised the students‘ resilience amidst the last-minute changes.
Looking Ahead
The district plans to continue monitoring the situation and seek solutions that meet state compliance requirements while striving to support a smooth start to the academic year. The upcoming weeks will reveal how the district adjusts its policies to align with state mandates and community expectations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
West Virginia Faces Public School Enrollment Crisis
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
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
