The buildings are ready, teachers are in the classrooms and have taken part in training and in-service programs, and Nancy Welch is excited about Tuesday’s opening day, the first year of her tenure as the new superintendent of Mathews County Public Schools.

The return of teachers and staff last week “breathed life back into our buildings,” Welch said, all in preparation for the first day of class. “We’re excited for the students to come back,” she said. “We’re here for the kids.”

Enrollment currently stands at 1,110 students. “That is point on for what our budget is based on,” she said. Meanwhile, the division has experienced “quite an influx” of non-resident students enrolling, about 42 as of last count.

“That’s a huge number for us,” she said. “That speaks very highly of our community and our school system” as parents from outside the county are willing to pay tuition for th...