VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — Classes began last week in most of our area schools, and local administrators believe the year has started off well.

(PICTURED: Cranberry Area School.)

According to Superintendent Kevin Briggs of Valley Grove School District, classes got off to a smooth start this week, even with some administrative changes.

Kelly Hart, the former mid-level principal, was named the principal at Rocky Grove High School this year, while Jake Saullo, principal at Valley Grove Elementary, is now responsible for grades K-6. Valley Grove also added an assistant principal at each building and eliminated the mid-level principal position. Andrew Carlson is the new assistant principal at Rocky Grove High School, and Tessa Simmons is the new assistant principal at Valley Grove Elementary.

Valley Grove has also put school safety high on their priorities list this year with the addition of School Resource Officers through the Venango County Sheriff’s Office. There will be a full-time deputy at Rocky Grove High School and two deputies that rotate the coverage at Valley Grove Elementary school.

Rocky Grove has also started a capital improvement project at Rocky Grove High School to address a lot of safety and security items, including all new windows and exterior doors, a new secure vestibule, and increased security measures at entrances.

“This project will be ongoing throughout the fall,” Briggs told exploreVenango.com.

“Our board has made a commitment to addressing safety concerns and to creating a safe and secure learning environment.”

At Cranberry Area School District, there are new parent pick up/drop off areas and procedures, which Superintendent Bill Vonada says have been working out well.

“The high school parent drop off/pick up area has created a much more efficient and safer situation for students, parents, and staff. The new parent drop off/pick up area at the elementary school is also more efficient and safer,” Vonada said.

“We appreciate the cooperation from everyone involved in making these improvements. It has been an exciting week having the students and staff back for another school year and we look forward to another great year of educating, engaging, and inspiring our students to pursue their greatest potential.”

In neighboring Clarion County, administrators are optimistic, as well.

“We’ve had a great start at Keystone School District,” Superintendent Shawn Algoe said.

“Our school community is excited about another school year.”

According to Algoe, Keystone made some significant changes in their transportation schedules this year, and while there have been some adjustments and minor quirks, everything seems to be working out.

“We are very pleased with how this year has begun,” Algoe said.

“The summer staff worked hard, the buildings look great, and everyone was excited to come back,” Joe Carico, Superintendent of Clarion Area School District, said.

“After the first day, we got right back into the groove.”

According to Carico, Clarion Area did make some changes to their pick-up and drop-off areas and procedures, but the changes haven’t caused any major hitches.

“The parents and the students have been wonderful about the changes. It’s gone very smooth. The kids seem really happy and engaged and everything is going well.”

At Union School District, students returned to class on Wednesday, August 28, and everything has been running smoothly.

“Students and staff were excited to be back in session, operations occurred as smoothly and successfully, and we continue to strive to meet each individual student’s needs,” Superintendent John Kimmel reported.

Like Keystone, Union did make a few changes this year, mainly pertaining to bus pick-up and drop off patterns at the schools, seeking to improve their traffic flow, as well as to improve on safety.

Kimmel said the changes have gone well, and no major issues have been reported.