June 2009

     We have come to the end of another school year, and I to the end of my career. After 38 years, I can tell you that each one goes by faster than the last. I have been blessed by many things in my life: the best parents ever, the ability to read and to love reading, having the only job I ever wanted (being a teacher), watching students learn and grow. I have never wished that I had chosen any other path. Being able to enjoy going to work each morning is a gift most people do not have. Sure, there were days I’d have rather slept late or played golf, but I never was sorry that I chose teaching as my passion and career. I’ve been blessed during my 38 years in ACS to have mentors who helped me to grow and improve. Mr. Lennon Brown, Interim Superintendent, was one of those. I was fortunate to teach grades seven through twelve, with a stint teaching Science Fiction and Mythology. What fun we had…at least I did. Teaching, working with young people, is challenging, changing, and rewarding. Thank you to the many people in ACS who gave me so many opportunities during my tenure here.

This year we saw positives in ISTEP+, great strides at Robinson Elementary School, and in the number of students taking AP classes and exams; but, of course, until every child reaches his or her full potential, we will still have work to do. Changes in funding and transfer tuition, the economy, and the demise of the automotive industry in Anderson all made our financial picture bleak. We do not see a positive turn in our financial outlook in the next few years. In fact, Governor Daniel’s proposed budget will mean a shortfall of $11,000,000 for the 2010-2011 school year. This makes for troubled times as families struggle to make ends meet, teachers worry that they may be laid off, and school buildings close. Perhaps the need has never been greater than now for public education to retool itself, to look for truly better ways to go about our core business of K-12 education. Perhaps we need to go to K-2 buildings replicating the programs at Robinson. One high school with grades 10-12 and one middle school with grades 7-9. That would leave grades 3-6 as intermediate buildings. This utilizes the research presented at the ACSC Challenge 2010 meetings that states that whatever the grade configurations, there should be at least three grades in a building. I know that everyone of our schools spent this year reviewing and revising PL 221 plans, trying to ensure that the needs of all students are being met. This cannot be done without much help and assistance from parents, guardians, and community members. All adults in the Anderson district must want the same very best education for ALL students as they want for their own children if education in Anderson is going to become a top priority.

Our graduating seniors have once again garnered approximately $2,000,000 in scholarship money. These students compete with students from around the world, and we are pleased that they are so successful. Scholarships for our students range from a few thousand dollars support to full rides with all expenses paid. And, yet, we will not be truly successful until all children meet their potential and continue to learn and grow after high school.

Hopefully the ACSC Challenge 2010 is just the beginning of seeing our community pull together to truly put excellence into education in Anderson. A truly long-term plan must be developed. What happens if we continue to lose students? What happens if we begin to grow? Businesses that are successful have both short- and long- term goals and plans for achieving those. Schools must do the same. Our short term goals include closing some buildings this year to save money and help balance our budget and continuing the important work of ensuring that all students continue to learn at higher levels. Our long term goals include shoring up our financial situation and ensuring that all students continue to learn at higher levels. While I can easily state these goals, there is hard work yet to be done. There must be a plan, a blue print, a detailed explanation of how we hope to reach those goals in the next year, the next five years, the next 15 years. Continue to watch our website and the Challenge 2010 page for updates about the recommendations made by the Panel. Some of the recommendations will be finalized by the start of the 2009-2010 school year, while others will be ongoing. The important thing is for the corporation and the community to continue to expect, even demand, quality education for all students.