Students in Gainesville City Schools returned to classrooms Tuesday, as they kicked off the 2022-23 school year.
Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Jeremy Williams spoke on WDUN's Mornings on Maine Street and said he was happy to see families back on school campuses.
"I see a lot of smiles on the faces of parents," Williams said, speaking from Gainesville Middle School West Campus. "You know, being able to send their kids back to school, I can't tell who's more excited."
Williams said the district has had several projects underway over the past year, many of which the students will experience in the new year.
"Last year we opened up an Advanced Studies Center at Gainesville High School, this year, we've been able to open up GMS West Campus, which took our two middle schools from about 1,700 students total, to about 860 and 840 apiece," Williams said.
Gainesville High School also has a new three-story student activity center, which houses athletics, band, ROTC and more.
The district is kicking off the year with a little under 8,000 students, with Gainesville High School having about 2,350 students.
Williams said school officials have different focuses throughout the school year, but one topic is a constant.
"At the forefront of what we all discuss, and always worry about, is just the safety of our students," Williams said. "Our job is to make sure we not only have a safe physical environment but a healthy environment from a mental health standpoint."
You can listen to the Mornings on Maine Street interview with Jeremy Williams at the SoundCloud player above.
