Preston County, WV, August 19, 2025
News Summary
Preston County Schools have discontinued staggered start days for students, a method used since 2020 to ease them into the school year. The West Virginia Department of Education mandated this change, stating that staggered starts violated state regulations requiring a full 180 days of independent instruction. Despite this abrupt transition just before the school year, Superintendent Brad Martin and Principal Todd Seymour expressed a commitment to maintaining educational excellence and ensuring students are prepared for their classes, with kindergarten and pre-K students set to begin shortly.
Preston County Schools Begins 2025-26 Year Without Staggered Start Amid Last-Minute Changes
Preston County, WV – On Monday, August 18, 2025, many students across West Virginia, including those in Preston County, began their school year without the staggered start days that had been implemented since 2020. The abrupt cancellation of staggered starts was prompted by an advisory from the West Virginia Board of Education following a notification from the West Virginia Department of Education. This notification indicated that the staggered start violated the state code mandating 180 independent instructional days.
Superintendent Brad Martin publicly apologized on social media for the sudden schedule change, indicating that while proposals were submitted to recapture instructional time, they ultimately did not meet state code requirements. Consequently, the state determined that staggered starts would be eliminated for the current year and for all future academic years.
Principal Todd Seymour expressed disappointment in reaction to the state’s decision, acknowledging a desire for more time to develop alternative solutions. The abrupt change came just days before the school year, which caused a stir among administrators, staff, and families.
As part of the preparations for the school year, Preston High School hosted a Freshman Open House on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Approximately three-fourths of the incoming freshman class attended the event, which included school tours and schedule reviews. Principal Seymour was pleased with the high turnout, noting a line of future students extending across the school parking lot.
Teacher Danielle Barker highlighted the significance of the event in catering to student needs, as it enabled freshmen to acclimate to their new environment without the presence of upperclassmen. Despite the abrupt changes to the school schedule, staff members remained positive, and many incoming students expressed excitement about starting the new year.
Looking ahead, kindergarten and pre-K students are scheduled to begin classes on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Notably, there will be no school on Friday, August 22, to allow for professional development for staff and faculty. This is seen as a necessary response to the unexpected situation that unfolded before the school year commenced, with staff and faculty commended for their quick adaptation and commitment to ensuring students are prepared for the start of the academic year.
Background on Staggered Start Days
Staggered start days were initially introduced in Preston County in 2020 as a strategy to help students ease into the school year by returning in phases according to grade level. This approach was intended to accommodate students’ transition back to classroom learning after extended periods of remote education during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with current education regulations emphasizing the need for full instructional days, the approach has been rendered unfeasible.
The West Virginia Department of Education’s ruling underscores the state’s commitment to ensuring that students receive the required instructional time within the academic year. This change reflects broader trends within the state’s educational framework as it seeks to balance practical transitional measures with adherence to established regulations.
Conclusion
As Preston County Schools begins the 2025-26 academic year amidst last-minute changes in scheduling, administrators, staff, and students adapt to new protocols while ensuring that educational priorities remain at the forefront. The swift adjustments made by the district reflect a robust commitment to educational excellence and student preparedness.
FAQ
What is a staggered start day?
A staggered start day is an educational approach that allows students to start the school year in phases based on their grade level, making the transition back to school smoother.
Why was the staggered start canceled for the 2025-26 school year?
The staggered start was canceled due to a notification from the West Virginia Department of Education stating that it violated state codes requiring a full 180 days of independent instruction.
When do kindergarten and pre-K students start?
Kindergarten and pre-K students are scheduled to begin starting on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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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