ANNA — Anna Local Schools will head back to start the 2016-17 school year on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Students will be greeted by several new teachers and staff. They will have three new intervention specialists: Jason Christman, Tony Metzler, and Jodi Danzig; a new second grade teacher Julie Metzler; new instructional aide Kara Kipp; aide Nichole Meyer; and new cook Angie Wagner.

Since the levy to update the Anna school facilities passed last November, the planning phase will begin and last through this school year. It will begin with a process to select the architectural firm in cooperation with the state, according to Superintendent Andy Bixler.

He also said they are excited to open the 2016-17 school year offering all-day kindergarten.

“The board was able to add this educational opportunity in a cost effective manner to the district,” Bixler said.

Back-to-school open houses will be held on Monday, Aug. 22. The elementary is open from 5 to 7 p.m., and the middle/high school will be open 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sixth-grade orientation will be at 6:30 p.m. on the same night in Milliette Auditorium.