Superintendent Pat Culp describes Tri-County as the hub of the community in the truest sense. With three school buildings serving roughly 750 students—an early learning and primary site in Remington, an intermediate school in Wolcott, and a junior-senior high school located between the two towns—TriCounty functions as a central thread tying together civic life, community programs, and student success. “At Tri-County, we put students first,” Culp says. “That means building strong relationships with our students and our families. We relish the opportunity to take kids who may not have been successful in other settings, make them part of Tri-County, make them a Cavalier, and help them have success here.” That student-first culture is supported by an unusually strong network of services, modernized facilities, and a career-readiness strategy that is expanding rapidly—without sacrificing college preparation. A DISTRICT BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS AND SUPPORT Culp and high school principal JR Haskins speak with remarkable consistency about the foundation of learning: trust. Research and experience align, they note—students learn best when they feel known, respected, and safe. That culture begins the moment students arrive. Bus drivers, cafeteria staff, office teams, and teachers are all part of the relational fabric. Students and families are greeted, supported, and reminded, even on difficult days, that school is a safe place and that they are valued. Tri-County has invested heavily in services that support the whole child. For a district of this size, the staffing structure stands out. Each building has counseling support, with four guidance counselors districtwide—an unusually strong ratio for a rural corporation. The district also employs full-time nurses in all three buildings, reinforcing both physical care and a broader role in student wellbeing. One of Tri-County’s most recent additions is a family engagement liaison, created to help families navigate needs that often sit outside academics but directly impact learning. That role supports everything 315 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 TRI-COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION
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