Bells will ring county-wide Monday, August 8, as the school year begins for 2022-2023.
Dara Bennett, superintendent of Pierce County Schools, says she is praying for a year of normalcy where students can experience all school activities such as field trips and assemblies.
“Pierce County Schools are committed to continuing the tradition of excellence that has been established in Pierce County. Over the past two years, we have experienced virtual school, total shutdowns, and hybrid schedules,” said the superintendent. “My sincere hope for the upcoming year is to follow our school calendar with no closures or modified schedules.”
Superintendent Bennett said the school system will continue to take appropriate actions to combat the spread of COVID.
“We are monitoring COVID numbers in our community and will continue to follow the Department of Public Health quarantine guidelines for staff and students who test positive with COVID.
Approximately 3,589 students are expected to start classes opening day. The enrollment is up/down about 60 from last school year, but those numbers will likely change by opening day.
As students and staff return to Pierce schools, they will find a few changes and improvements have taken place over the summer.
Upgrades to Bear Stadium and the baseball and softball fields at the high school are underway. Improvements have been made to Blackshear Elementary and Pierce County Middle School. Both schools have received new flooring.
Numerous personnel changes have taken place over the last year.
They including several administration changes. They include Amanda Lankford as new principal of Patterson Elementary, Teresa Dixon, Director of Instruction and Assessment for the school system, Melanie Helms- Director of Finance for the school system, Clint Hodge- half time assistant principal at Blackshear Elementary and Tony Gibson, Assistant Principal at Pierce County High School.
A number of new teachers and support staff have been hired for the school year.
New staff members include Blackshear Elementary teachers Allison Smith, Madison Garner, Allyson McNeal, Natalie Sauls, Rachel Rountree and Stephanie Carter, Paraprofessionals Megan Johns, Chelsea Wilson and Jessica Smart and speech pathologist Chelsey Sweat. New Midway Elementary staff includes teachers Karly Tippins, Alexis Jenkins and Brad Thomas and paraprofessional Becky Dixon. New Patterson Elementary Staff includes teachers Ravhen Cade and Molly Peace, paraprofessionals Jasmin Cox and Constance Drew Paraprofessional and secretary-recepitonist Leslie Johnson.
Pierce County Middle School’s new staff members include teachers Sarah Beth King, Darby Benfield, Caitlyn Crawford, Cameron Harrelson, Tiffany Rowan, Kalyn Milton and Brittany Bennett and paraprofessional Lesley Watson.
New Pierce County High School teachers include Casey Murphy, Michael Murray and Jesi Thomas and counselor Rebecca James.
