Aug. 24, 2026: Courtesy photo. Classes start for Stanley County Public School District students today (Aug. 24, 2026), the Buffaloes have a completely new administrative team leading the charge. Rob Coverdale is a graduate of the Stanley County and he’s the new superintendent. https://media-cdn.s ocastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082426-coverdale1.mp3 As the school year begins, Coverdale is excited to get started. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082426-coverdale2.mp3 This will be the Stanley County School District’s first year where students are not allowed to use their cell phones at any time during the school day. Coverdale says students will put their smart devices in a Yondr bag when they arrive and can unlock the Yondr bag as they leave at the end of the day. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082426-coverdale3.mp3 Coverdale thinks this new policy will be a good thing for the students. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082426-coverdale4.mp3 If there’s an emergency, parents or guardians can call the office phone number in the building where their student or students attend class and a message can be relayed to them. When it comes to challenges in public education, Coverdale says funding is one of the main ones. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082426-coverdale5.mp3 He says another challenge is a growing number of students attending alternative education settings. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082426-coverdale6.mp3 The other new members of the Stanley County School District Administrative team are Middle School and High School Principal Jessica Carr and Elementary School Principal Dr. Kelli Nagel. August 21, 2026: When classes start for Stanley County students on Monday (Aug. 24, 2026), the District will have a completely new leadership team…..but they’re all familiar faces to Fort Pierre. Courtesy photo. Dr. Kelli Nagel is a graduate of the Stanley County Public School District and she’s the new Elementary School Principal. As the school year begins, Nagel says she wants to build on some of the great things already happening at the Stanley County Elementary School. This will be the Stanley County School District’s first year where students are not allowed to use their cell phones at any time during the school day. Nagel believes it will have a positive impact– even at the elementary level. Nagel says if there’s an emergency, parents or guardians can get in touch with their student or students by calling their respective school’s office phone number. She also encourages parents and guardians to reach out if they have questions about something– positive or negative– their student tells them has happened at school.    The Stanley County School District also includes one of the rare country schools still operating in South Dakota and Nagel says she’s excited to work with the Cheyenne School.   Courtesy photo. Jessica Carr is the new Middle School and High School Principal. She grew up and started her career in education just across the Missouri River in Pierre. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082126-carr1.mp3 As the school year begins, Carr says she’ll be focusing on staff and student culture. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082126-carr2.mp3 This will be the Stanley County School District’s first year where students are not allowed to use their cell phones at any time during the school day. Carr says if there’s an emergency, parents or guardians can still get in touch with their student or students through other channels. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082126-carr3.mp3 Carr thinks the effects of digital communication platforms are one of the main challenges today’s students deal with. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082126-carr4.mp3 Carr says digital communication also affects how teachers teach. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082126-carr5.mp3 Carr says she’s looking forward to being back in the education system. https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2626/files/2026/08/082126-carr6.mp3 Courtesy photo. The other new member of the Stanley County School District Administrative team is Superintendent Rob Coverdale, who graduated from Stanley County. Stanley County Schools is excited to welcome new staff members for the 2026-2027 school year. According to the District, these individuals bring a variety of experiences, skills, and enthusiasm that will help support student success across the district. New staff members are pictured from left to right: Steve JD Pohlman – ISS Supervisor Ashley Holm – 3rd Grade Teacher Rob Coverdale – Superintendent Shana Davis – MS/HS English Language Arts Special Education Teacher Spencer Studenberg – Custodian Abigayle Eitreim – Agriculture and Shop Teacher Dr. Kelli Nagel – Elementary Principal Jessica Carr – Middle High School Principal Jezarae Fischer – Elementary Secretary Courtesy photo. ...read more read less