Lessons in dedication and teamwork began over the summer
Pierce County’s students will begin the new school year next week.
The 2025-2026 school term will officially begin Monday, August 4.
Approximately 3,553 students are expected to start classes opening day. The enrollment is down by approximately 40 students from the first day of school last year, but those numbers will likely change by opening day.
Dara Bennett, superintendent of Pierce County Schools, says she and school system staff members are excited to begin another school year.
“We are looking forward to a great school year together,” she said.
Returning students will notice a couple of significant changes, especially regarding improved security.
All schools in the district will implement two new security measures.
They include Centegix, a crisis alert system and OpenGate Weapons Detectors.
The Centegix CrisisAlert is a wearable mobile panic button that empowers staff to get help instantly in an emergency. With the push of a button, users discreetly alert responders in seconds with precise incident location detail.
All staff at all schools will wear a Centegix badge beginning this year.
The OpenGate system is a stateof- the-art weapons detection solution that enhances school safety while minimizing disruption to daily routines. These detectors are fast, accurate, and non-invasive— designed to allow students to walk through without emptying their backpacks or removing personal items. This means minimal impact on arrival times while providing an additional layer of protection for everyone in our school community.
Numerous personnel changes have taken place over the last year. They include 56 new teachers and support staff who have been hired for the school year. New staff members include listed by school/location include: Amber Burney, Sarah Chancey, Morgan Cook, Angel Dial, Randi Dixon, Brittney Higginbotham, Kalie Humes, Nicole Johnson, Marena King, Maria Lacot, Jaidyn Lowe, Michelle Merck, Sue Neal, Megan Nix, April Page, Toni Preston, Emily Ray, Mia Roberts, Haley Studstill, Kandace Wheeler, all at Blackshear Elementary, Raygen Helmuth, Jessica Johnson, Natalie Johnson, Kynlee Lee, Emma Thomas and Macy Tippins, all at Midway Elementary, Logan Berryhill, Katelynn Carter, Rebekah Insalaco, Shawn Jackson, Suzannah Lee, Lisa Simmington, Madison Sports, all at the high school, Kimberly Crews, Trace Insalaco, Terry Lairsey, Alle Lee, Kesha Miles, Holly Ratliff, Landon Spencer and Colby Thornton, all at the middle school, Emily Carter, Haley Crews, Brittini Crosby, Cheyenne De-Jaynes, Melissa Herrin, Caroline Higginson, Brittany Hitchner, Abbie Jackson, Isabel McEuen, Cheyann New, Bryant Stafford and Melanie Tuten, all at Patterson Elementary and Doris Ramsey, Lora Taylor and Candi Walker, with school nutrition.
A few enhanced facility upgrades have been completed for this school year, including the completion of the athletics complex in what once was the old PCHS building, new flooring throughout Midway Elementary School and upgrades to lighting and the creation of another classroom at Pierce County Middle School.
