Monday marked the first day of school for the Jefferson City School District

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Monday, students who are enrolled in the Jefferson City School District started the 2023-2024 school year.

ABC 17 News spoke with Superintendent Bryan McGraw the week leading up to the first day of school about what parents and students should expect going into the new year. McGraw said one of the most notable changes is the addition of 540 interactive boards that were added to classrooms.

McGraw also noted that 140 new teachers were hired across the district, and schools are fully staffed.

Safety is also crucial to the district this year, according to McGraw. The district has seven school resource officers whose primary focus is on keeping students safe. He also said building relationships with students is critical.

All schools are also equipped with secure vestibules that require anyone trying to enter the building to be buzzed in, as well as utilizing a sign out system for parents or guardians picking up students. A Raptor Alert school safety app that will allow staff and police to communicate quicker in the case of an emergency.

McGraw also said the district is working to improve past transportation issues.

ABC 17 News also spoke with the principal of Jefferson City High School, Deanne Fisher who noted that the school experienced issues with transportation Monday. Fisher said that a few buses were late picking students up.

She said that she believes this could be because students aren't aware of what time the bus picks them up, or where.

However, she said the school was prepared to deal with the setback.

"So we kind of anticipated that and what we would do if they come in late," Fisher said. "Got plenty of supervision on the outsides of the building and then people in the hallways to get them here even if they get here past the tardy bell."

Fisher also said that the school is taking pre-cautions to ensure the safety of students. This includes making sure an adult is always supervising the school at all times, as well as educating students about keeping all doors in the building secure.

The school district reported that over 8,000 students were expected to return.

Elementary schools began at 7:45 a.m., high school students at 8:40 a.m., while middle school began shortly after at 8:50 a.m.