The morning sound of music coming from a high school football field is a good indicator that school is soon to begin. Thursday morning, I began my day on the fields with the Southeast Marching Band where I had an opportunity to begin the school fight song with a couple bangs on a drum. It was so enjoyable to be around kids again, especially the kind of kids who have worked all summer to get ready for their performance season. We were on the field to tape my first-quarter video message for Lincoln Public Schools employees, and I hope you enjoy the results: welcoming our excellent staff back to another exciting year. We will send you the link as soon as the piece is edited and Doug Dickeson – a master at video production – can make me look like an accomplished musician (probably impossible).
The countdown continues to the first day of school next week, and I can’t wait for Tuesday when I already have a great schedule of school visits planned.
Meanwhile, the Lincoln Board of Education has been working hard to keep our recovery plan moving forward. Last Tuesday we had a first reading on a new Data Center for LPS, and I have learned much about computer racks and tiers and storage. Our IT people have done incredible work this summer getting ready for our future challenges.
School Board members have also completed my first-year evaluation. While I have always been evaluated in my past positions, this Board has done the most comprehensive work. We are clearly on the same page in terms of priorities and future planning. As I am sure you know, each Board member puts in 20-40 hours per month attending Board and Board committee meetings, civic functions and school-related activities. Their willingness to participate makes a tremendous difference in terms of their knowledge of our work. If you have the occasion, drop them a line of “thanks.”
As I close, I want to reiterate what I said in the staff video we taped this week: Thank you to all members of the LPS team for your commitment to our students and their excellent educational opportunities. I wish all of you a wonderful start to what should be an exciting year.
steve
