News Summary
Preston County Schools begins its academic year without staggered start days, following a last-minute decision by the West Virginia Board of Education. This change aims to meet state requirements for instructional days, impacting families and school administrators. Superintendent Brad Martin apologized for the abrupt schedule change, while efforts continue to support incoming students. The school community maintains a positive outlook as the transition takes place, emphasizing support and engagement during these adjustments.
Kingwood, West Virginia – Preston County Schools Begins 2025-26 Year Without Staggered Start Amid Last-Minute Changes
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Preston County Schools officially began the 2025-26 academic year, facing a significant change as the West Virginia Board of Education announced the cancellation of staggered start days. This last-minute adjustment has left school administrators and families grappling with the implications of the decision.
The staggered start schedule, which had been implemented since 2020, was designed to help students transition back into the school environment by allowing them to return in stages based on their grade levels. However, the West Virginia Department of Education determined that this approach violated state code stipulating a requirement for a minimum of 180 independent instructional days. As a result, the staggered start was deemed necessary to eliminate.
Superintendent Brad Martin publicly apologized for the abrupt schedule change through a Facebook announcement, acknowledging the difficulty it posed for families and the school community. Martin explained that proposals aimed at recapturing instructional time were submitted, but ultimately fell short of meeting the state code requirements, leading to the decision to remove staggered starts for the current academic year and moving forward.
Principal Todd Seymour expressed his disappointment regarding the state’s decision and indicated a desire for more time to devise alternative solutions that would accommodate the students’ needs. Meanwhile, the school made efforts to facilitate acclimatization for new students during the transition. On August 17, 2025, Preston High School hosted a Freshman Open House that was well-attended, with approximately three-fourths of the incoming freshman class participating.
The open house provided fresh arrivals an opportunity to tour the school and familiarize themselves with their class schedules. Principal Seymour noted that he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout, as attendees lined up across the parking lot, demonstrating the community’s engagement. Teacher Danielle Barker remarked on the importance of the event for incoming freshmen, highlighting how it allowed students to prepare for the school year comfortably without the presence of upperclassmen.
Despite the challenges posed by the cancellation of staggered starts, the school staff maintained a positive outlook, with many students expressing enthusiasm for the new school year. Kindergarten and pre-K students are scheduled to begin their school year on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. To support professional development efforts, no school will be held on Friday, August 22.
The situation has prompted commendations for the staff and faculty, who have quickly responded to the unexpected changes and have aimed to assist students in making a smooth transition back to school. While this year’s circumstances may differ from previous years, the spirit of community and support remains strong within Preston County Schools as they embark on a new academic journey.
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 MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee 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 Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
