Students in the Timberlane Regional and Hampstead school districts have returned to the classroom to find some new faces, including Dr. Earl Metzler, who was recently hired as the new superintendent for School Administrative Unit 55.

Messages welcoming Metzler have been posted on signs outside schools in the two districts as he prepares to lead a student population of approximately 5,600.

The former principal of North Quincy High School in Massachusetts, Metzler has spent this week touring schools and meeting staff and students after classes began Tuesday in Timberlane schools and last week for schools in Hampstead.

“I’ve been so impressed with the caliber of people I’ve met,” said Metzler, who toured five of the nine schools by Wednesday and planned to visit the rest Thursday and Friday.

Metzler has found “respect, responsibility and pride” among the students he’s seen, he said. He’s also been impressed by the districts’ commitment to the arts.

“In these tough economic times I’ve noticed a lot of districts cut the arts, but the arts are alive and well in both Hampstead and Timberlane,” he said.

Metzler hasn’t set his goals for the new year just yet.

“I’m doing a lot of listening right now. It’s important to know what’s near and dear to their hearts,” he said. “I certainly will be rolling out some goals in the near future.”

As Metzler settles into his new job, others have returned for another year with memories of a summer still fresh in their minds.

“There’s been lots of excitement and lots of stories what the kids did last summer,” said Jo-Ann Georgian, principal of Sandown North Elementary School.

One of the biggest hurdles for students and staff at the start of each year is always transportation. Some buses ran a little late on the first day of school Tuesday, which is expected as parents often snap pictures and take time to hug their kids before sending them off to school.

Another first-day-of-school challenge is figuring out where some students are supposed to go at the end of the day.

“Once the kids learn it and the bus drivers learn it we’re fine,” Georgian said.

Hampstead Central School has had time to work out the kinks after starting a week before Timberlane schools.

Principal Dillard Collins said teachers and students are looking forward to a new year that includes technology upgrades, a new gymnasium floor, and an 8-foot by 40-foot climbing wall that’s expected to be installed in the gymnasium soon.

Collins said the school is also adding three iPads in each classroom for students in kindergarten through second grade and five Novi mini laptops in each classroom for grades 3, 4 and 5. The school has also created a larger computer room that’s now air conditioned. Changes at other schools include efforts to combat bullying.

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Jason Schreiber may be reached at jschreiber@newstote.com.