This has sure been a different and difficult winter. The extreme temperatures have undoubtedly led to more illness among students and staff. The lack of snow (and subsequent student reference to “only” two snow days) may be a prelude to a dry spring and summer. And with an economy so reliant on water, a drought will be very difficult to endure.
Nonetheless, I am enjoying this March week as it is the official spring break for Lincoln Public Schools. Like the first week in June, this week is a time for me to catch up on all those tasks that I put on the shelf to be worked on later. Not a natural procrastinator, I still struggle with finding all the time necessary to be effective. Timely breaks in the action do the trick and I pause to consider the most essential chores for the rest of the school year.
As we look ahead to the next few months, our district’s priority work will center on planning for the new High School Career Center. Our first joint board meeting – between officials from Lincoln Public Schools and Southeast Community College – is March 20, and there is much that will need to be addressed. Priority topics include: Construction bids, naming of the facility and authorizing a search for a dynamic leader. I will serve on this joint Career Center Board to represent LPS, along with Lincoln Board of Education member Richard Meginnis, and we look forward to ensuring we deliver on our promise that this facility will stand as a national model.
Another priority for the remaining school year is to welcome Wendy Van to our LPS District Office leadership team. As the new president of the Foundation for LPS, Wendy brings incredible energy and passion to the position – and our school district will work with the Foundation to take the next progressive steps forward. LPS needs a strong Foundation to support the kind of work that positively impacts student success yet cannot be funded with tax dollars.
The first day of this week’s break – Monday – was a great spring day. Today, not so much. I hope our students and staff have a restful week and come back ready to charge up the home stretch.
Steve
