Wood County Schools has announced a possible restructuring of positions to align staffing with evolving instructional needs which could take effect for the 2026–2027 school year. District leaders say the changes are designed to better support student achievement initiatives while ensuring compliance with key programs that focus on literacy, instruction, and student success.
The Third Grade Success Act was passed by the West Virginia legislature in 2023. This legislation has provided funding for districts to hire staff to support students in grades 1 - 3. As the implications of the bill become reality during the 2026-2027 school year, Wood County Schools proposes to modify the current structure from aides to teachers in grade 3. The proposed plan would be to have Academic Support Interventionists, teachers, in grade three to provide intervention and learning support after school hours for students who need additional help.
Libraries are very important to the schools and community. As Wood County Schools experiences declining enrollment, district leaders are looking for ways to maintain services for students while workforce reductions are necessary to stay within the means of the district. The proposal of Media/STEAM/Academic Support Interventionists will allow services our students and families are familiar with to continue while we realign staff to meet the needs of students.
For over twenty years, Wood County Schools has employed Curriculum and Instruction Assistant Principals with federal dollars to support staff and students at Title I schools. These positions have played a vital role in student achievement across the district. As this position transforms to encompass a focus on the whole child, the role of Assistant Principals of Teaching, Learning, and Student Success has been proposed. Teaching and learning are the foundation of education. With that said, student outcomes must have the most important piece, students. This revised role will provide an additional focus on student attendance.
District officials say these shifts reflect an effort to align personnel with the instructional needs of students and schools. Wood County Schools is focused on academic intervention, literacy and numeracy development, and teaching and learning leadership – all to benefit our students.