School begins today in Hurley, Mercer

Although they probably wish otherwise, today was the first day of the 2015-16 school year for students in the Hurley and Mercer school districts.

Classes began at 8 a.m. for Mercer students and 8:05 a.m. for Hurley, according to information on each district's website.

There was a familiar face in a new role when students arrived at the Hurley K-12 School this morning, with Melissa Oja serving as the district's dean of students.

Oja had previously worked in the district as a middle-high school guidance counselor.

"Melissa has a great deal of experience working with out staff, students and community. She has been very active in our middle school and high school for many years as a guidance counselor and teacher. Her guidance and coaching background will be a definite bonus in her new role for us," district Administrator Chris Patritto said in July when Oja was named to the position.

This is the first year Hurley has a dean of students, with Oja and Patritto splitting the responsibilities of the former middle-high school principal position. In July, Patritto said Oja's responsibilities would include handling the day-to-day issues at the school.