This last weekend, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself that the summer indeed was coming to a close (as defined by educators: August ), and that I really hadn’t had an opportunity to truly get away. I thought about the last two months and the amazing work that had been done by so many committed professionals. I thought about the major disruptions in the work lives of more than 200 LPS District Office team members, and how they are scattered around town and making the best of it. I thought about my colleagues at Celerion and Experian who have risked losing vacation days due to work commitments.
Then I thought about our staff and students coming back in a few short weeks. My mood immediately changed and I began Monday with a new spring in my step. The two-day Leadership Conference we held early this week at Schoo Middle School – for all LPS leaders – cemented my belief that, while the fire will continue to be a major community discussion point, the successful business of teaching and learning is what we are really about. And man are we good at that.
At the conference we welcomed a great crop of new leader recruits who will be in our midst this year. I am also excited to meet our new teachers this Thursday at the annual breakfast.
We are still negotiating with the insurance company and working to determine the critical space that will be needed for a new LPS District Office facility. We have also reached out to the community to hear their best thoughts and ideas – and have offered a place on our website for that feedback (see the front of our website, right column). With the clock ticking, we anticipate making recommendations to our Board of Education in the next 6-8 weeks.
I have often stated that my favorite times of year are: the first week of school, and the first week of June. As a first-year superintendent, one for two wasn’t bad.
See you soon—steve
