Literacy and math will be the hot topics for students in Staunton this year. The city has spent the summer creating new initiatives to help students learn.

In literacy, the big push will be with early learners in the elementary schools. For math, it's the focus for all grade levels.

Along with those focuses, the Staunton Schools district is also keeping a close eye of its budget, though there have been no permanent cuts so far.

Assistant Superintendent Dori Walk says the staff has been encouraged to remain conservative in spending and be mindful of the fluctuating state revenue.

"With the fuel prices the way they are, with the economy the way that it is, and the potential that our state revenue might not live up to what we were hoping, we are certainly going to be keeping a very close eye on the budget to be sure that we're within budget, but also that we can still do all the things we want to do to make a great education for our students," says Walk.

With several new administrators this year, Walk says a big task will be giving them support as they take over at the principal level.