Veteran teacher Sharon Miller stacked books in baskets inside her 4K classroom Friday, Aug. 12 while down the hall kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Barrett wrote out name tags and arranged tiny chairs under desks.

Classes resume today at O.P. Earle Elementary, Landrum Middle and Landrum High Schools for the 2011-2012 school year.

“We’re pretty excited to get started again,” said Miller, who’s been a teacher for the past 22 years. “I’m not sure who will be happier to be back, us or the kids.”

While enrollment holds steady at about 500 students at O.P. Earle, Principal Nita High said the school did add an extra K5 teacher this year because of the increased number of enrolled students in that age group.

Teacher Allison Brown, a former teacher’s assistant, will fill that role.

Parents and students will also see a new face in the administration office.

Brian Murray took over earlier this summer for former assistant principal Erika Center, who was promoted to principal at Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary.

Murray has served as a teacher, coach and assistant principal at Chapman High School for the past 14 years.

High said she expects Murray and O.P. Earle’s students to do well with the transition.

“It will be a change for him but he has children of his own and I think he is looking forward to working as an elementary administrator,” High said of Murray. “He brings with him a genuine love for children and a sincere dedication to this wonderful work we do.”

Murray said he has four children of his own, which he hopes has prepared him to some extent.

“I’m very excited to be here and feel the staff has been incredibly welcoming,” Murray said. “We’re looking forward to a good year.”