Pat Law will take the reins of Wood County Schools on July 1 as the district’s newest superintendent. Law visited Wood County this week, meeting with community members, staff and teacher and service unions. (Photo by Michael Erb)

PARKERSBURG — Connecting with staff and community members will be the No. 1 priority for Wood County Schools newest superintendent. Pat Law, who will take the reins of Wood County Schools on July 1, met with staff members and area groups this week in preparation of the changeover. “I like to learn and I like to be around people who like to learn,” Law said Wednesday. “I’ve been having a great time because I am learning a lot.” Superintendent Bill Niday will step down at the end of June. Niday said he had met some with Law this week to help facilitate the discussions and introduce him to staff. “On Tuesday we had a central office meeting, our agenda prep meeting (for next week’s Wood County Board of Education meeting) and Dr. Law sat in on that,” Bill said. “Mostly, though, he has just been operating on his own.” Law said his main goal during his first few months as superintendent will be to connect with peopl.