Buses are ready to roll; carrying students back to classrooms, fresh starts, and first-day smiles across Adams County this week. (Photo by Ryan Applegate)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
Long before the first bell rings, buses will rumble along winding country roads, their yellow sides catching the first light of dawn. The smell of fresh floor wax will greet teachers unlocking their classroom doors, and in kitchens across Adams County, parents will pour bowls of cereal while urging sleepy-eyed students to find their shoes.
For the Adams County Ohio Valley School District (ACOVSD), Thursday, August 14 marks the start of a new school year. In Manchester, students in the Manchester Local School District (MLSD) will have one more day before returning on Friday, August 15. For both districts, the week ahead is filled with fresh opportunities, a few new rules, and the same steady heartbeat of small-town schools: caring for children and helping them grow.
In Manchester, Superintendent Nick Roberts said the district’s priorities remain clear. “First and foremost, safety will always be the number one priority in our district,” Roberts said. It’s a responsibility he describes not just in policies, but in the people who carry them out every day. MLSD has had its own full-time School Resource Officer for years, and staff and administrators work quickly to address any concerns that arise. Safety also extends beyond emergencies — a full-time social emotional counselor and other on-site counseling services mean students can get help the moment they need it. “Resources are opportunistic and in-house and immediate and impactful,” Roberts said.
Technology is another piece of the puzzle. Roberts points to up-to-date ALICE procedures — Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate — and the tools that support them: new audio speakers throughout campus, upgraded radios, and even a bus zone gate to help control traffic. But the same attention goes into what happens inside the classroom. “Our goal is to sustain a positive learning environment for all students and for them to receive a high quality education,” Roberts said, adding that Manchester’s staff “are phenomenal” at keeping up with educational mandates, such as the recently completed Science of Reading training.
Over the summer, Manchester added 18 interactive smart boards and used a $280,000 Career Technical Education grant to purchase 130 new student computers, more monitors, and two additional interactive boards. The investment will allow students to learn coding and software skills starting in junior high. Younger grades will benefit from a new math program, and the district will continue its 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school program — which might even include e-gaming in the future. “We will continually seek to facilitate a ‘quality education’ for all students to make educational gains each and every year,” Roberts said, noting that last year Manchester scored at or above the state average in 12 tested areas, with two more within 5 percent. “The everyday matters,” he said, a phrase he repeats often.
Across the county, ACOVSD Superintendent Dawn Wallace is also looking forward to a year of growth — in academics, career preparation, and community partnerships. “As always, our top priorities remain the achievement and safety of our students,” Wallace said. But this year also brings a major expansion of career and technical offerings, with seven new high school CTE programs and 26 middle school career exploration courses. “This expansion is a remarkable step forward in preparing our students for real-world success,” Wallace said, noting that many staff members earned new credentials to make it happen.
The district is also introducing a program to support homeschool students with tailored educational options. Wallace said more details will be posted soon on the district’s website, but it reflects a growing emphasis on flexibility and meeting students where they are. And like Manchester, ACOVSD is entering the school year under the state’s new cell phone policy, which limits student use during the day. The policy has been communicated to families through multiple channels, and Wallace says patience will be important in the first days of school. “The first days are always filled with energy and excitement,” she said. “While there may be a few bumps along the way, there’s nothing quite like the joy of watching students arrive with anticipation and smiles.”
In West Union, Assistant Principal Kristin Regenstein is stepping into her new role with an eye on hands-on learning. This year, the school is expanding its STEAM program — science, technology, engineering, arts, and math — across both junior high and high school. Junior high students will rotate through nine-week electives designed to give them a taste of different fields, while high schoolers will have the chance to pursue year-long pathways. “Our goal is to have students want to be here — give them a reason to come to school,” Regenstein said. That might mean new CTE programs in performing arts, engineering, and agriculture, or interdisciplinary classes that break the mold of traditional lecture-based instruction. “I think it’s a great opportunity for them and we’re going to see a big climate shift,” she said.
North Adams High School Principal Karl Boerger says career pathways are also a focus there, starting as early as seventh grade. He believes in showing students real examples of where education can lead — like two local graduates he spotted recently working for a regional air company. “As educators, we always try to make dreams possible,” he said. New CTE offerings will include robotics and drones to keep students connected to evolving industries.
Boerger is also quick to talk about school pride — not just in academics, but in extracurricular success. He points to state track champion Beau Hesler and Ohio State Fair Grand Champion winner Karlie Kennedy as examples of students whose hard work inspires others. “They see Beau and Karlie working hard for their success and this builds a hungry culture,” Boerger said. Even so, he admits that the night before school starts, teachers are just as nervous as the students. “They put their heart and soul in their job,” he said. Over the summer, the school received new LED lighting, a kitchen floor, and a dishwasher — all part of creating a bright, clean environment for learning.
At Peebles High School, first-year principal Ty Stephens is preparing to launch two major changes. The first is the school’s new School Choice Program for juniors and seniors who are on track to graduate. The program allows eligible students to attend in person three days a week and work remotely for two, provided they maintain strict academic and behavioral guidelines. “The goal is to keep kids in our building and hopefully with having the program, more students will dig in early in their high school career so they are able to be in the program their junior year,” Stephens said.
The second new addition at PHS is an agriculture program for seventh and eighth graders, offered daily throughout the year. Stephens believes it will strengthen the high school’s ag program and give younger students an earlier start in exploring agricultural careers. Over the summer, staff worked to prepare classrooms, refresh facilities, and plan engaging activities for the year ahead. “Our goal is to create a warm, welcoming environment where students feel excited and ready to learn from day one,” Stephens said.
For Stephens, the best part of a new year is seeing students grow — not just in academics, but in character. “Every school year brings new challenges, fresh opportunities, and unique stories waiting to unfold,” he said. “I truly believe we have the best staff around to not just help them in the classroom but build them to be better citizens and role models.”
Both superintendents agree that the new statewide cell phone policy is not expected to cause major problems locally. Roberts notes that Manchester has not had widespread issues with phones in the past, and Wallace says consistent communication will help. Students with medical or special needs will still be permitted to use devices when documented in a plan, and emergencies will be handled through office phones or other established procedures.
As the sun rises Thursday for ACOVSD and Friday for Manchester, parents will walk kindergartners to classroom doors, high school seniors will greet friends in the parking lot, and teachers will take a deep breath before that first bell. The small rituals of a first day — new pencils, fresh notebooks, nervous glances, and wide smiles — are part of a rhythm that repeats every August but never loses its meaning.
Whether in Manchester or in one of ACOVSD’s schools, the message from leaders is the same: the work is important, the students matter, and the community plays a part in every success. “Without the students and families, we would not exist,” Boerger said. “It’s an honor to educate your children.” Wallace put it simply: “We’re glad you’re here.”
