Five districts across Butler County return to classes
Students in five school districts in Butler County returned to school Wednesday, Aug. 23, kicking off the 2023-24 school year.
The districts that started school are the Knoch School District, Mars Area School District, Slippery Rock Area School District, Karns City Area School District and Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District.
In an unusual start for the district, students of Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School began the school year Wednesday, Aug. 23, while students at Chicora Elementary and Sugarcreek Elementary schools stayed at home.
Administrators of Karns City Area School District delayed the start for elementary students by one week because of ongoing construction at Chicora Elementary School, which will end with the consolidation of both elementary schools.
Despite the odd start, district superintendent Eric Ritzert said the first day went well.
“People look excited to be here — the students, the staff — it's a good indication that this will be a good school year,” Ritzert said.
According to Ritzert, the late start to the year for elementary students in the Karns City school district won’t effect holiday breaks or the date of the last day of school.
Construction on Chicora Elementary is also going well, Ritzert said, with equipment being installed in the new classrooms, which will be safe for occupancy next week.
“It will be comfortably usable, but not totally complete,” he said. “Next summer, we'll renovate the classrooms that haven't been touched this year. It'll be safe and definitely usable next week for when we start school.”
Freeport Area School District and Moniteau School District start school Thursday, Aug. 24; and Butler Area School District starts Tuesday, Aug. 29.
