NEW BERLIN – Unadilla Valley Central School District will start the new school year next week with changes, including new staff members and a different designated drop-off area for the elementary side of the school.

The back-to-school night event will be from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. on September 3, and the new school year begins the following morning.

According to Unadilla Valley Central School District Superintendent Robert Mackey, this year is marked with a variety of changes, including different leadership, growing opportunities for higher education, and new staff members.

"To me, one of the greatest parts of being at Unadilla Valley is working with staff that consistently look at themselves as students," said Mackey. "They're in a continuous state of learning, which is an excellent model for their students."

He said this year there are several positions that have been filled, including two special education positions, a first-grade teacher position, and school's aide and clerical positions.

"We still have a couple of openings to fill, but a special education position seems to be the big one we're missing," said Mackey. "Hiring is proving to be a challenge for private sector and public sector as well."

He said the new hires come after a very successful summer, where students could choose from five different college courses offered with professors from local colleges.