BY KARISSA MILLER

Students were welcomed back to campuses across Iredell County this week as the new school year began August 11.

In an effort to foster a positive school culture, Iredell-Statesville Schools leadership members visited campuses throughout the district to welcome back teachers, staff and students.

“This was one of the smoothest starts to the school year out of six years being here,” said I-SS Superintendent Jeff James.

James spent the first day visiting schools in the western part of the county, and the leadership team visited every school collectively. School resource officers were also present to welcome back students.

“I talked to a lot of parents, kids and teachers. They were excited to be back in school and buses were arriving on time at the schools I visited,” he said.

At the elementary schools, there were a few tears shed by kindergarten students and their parents during drop off. 

The superintendent said that there were a “few bus route hiccups,” but no major transportation issues.

James said the new statewide Infinite Campus system, which is replacing PowerSchool, didn’t integrate with the new system they use to route the buses.

Aside from that, traffic wasn’t as bad as the district anticipated. He asked parents to be patient as they navigate changes.

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