COURTLAND—Long before the opening bell strikes on Tuesday, Sept. 3, the Southampton County Public School System has been preparing the start of the school year.

During last Monday’s school board meeting, for example, the members discussed and approved the appointments and rearrangement of personnel, said Superintendent Dr. Alvera Parrish:

• Derek Johnson will become the new assistant principal at Southampton High School

• Will Melbye will become the new assistant principal at Riverdale Elementary School. “We’re excited about him,” Parrish said.

• Former Riverdale Elementary Principal Christopher Tsitsera has traded places with Nottoway Elementary School Principal Debra Hicks. “We felt the need to make some transitions,” Parrish said. She added that the board thought each would be successful in their new venues as far as students’ academic success. Riverdale had 640 students last school year; Nottoway had 304.

• Tasha Ricks is the elementary administrative assistant at Riverdale. She was the principal of elementary summer school this past season. “She did an outstanding job,” said Parrish.

• Kristin Morrison will be the second math teacher at Southampton High School

• Glynis Ross will be an elementary teacher at Riverdale.

• Melissa Andre will be the algebra readiness facilitator at Southampton Middle School. Parrish compared Andre’s work to a tutorial style.

• Jackie Barnes will be the teacher assistant at Southampton Middle.

The opening convocation starts Monday, Aug. 19, at 9 a.m., and the entire staff is expected to attend, said Parrish.

“We want to create an atmosphere for focus,” she added. “We’re lining up to make sure the teachers are prepared.”

The division-wide professional development week also starts with convocation, and will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 23.