Now that plans for a new Lincoln Public Schools District Office building have been approved, I am shifting my thoughts to Community Learning Centers (CLCs), next year’s budget and staffing needs, and technology.
The budget for 2012-13 should be helped by an increase in state aid, enrollment growth and, hopefully, a significant change in assessed valuation. The latter is critical as we have been negatively impacted by a local tax base that’s been virtually stagnant over the last few years.
With a June deadline looming for a sustainability plan for CLC’s, I have spent significant time researching options that will guarantee funds to ensure that these quality-of-life programs continue. The CLC programs have directly helped our students and families succeed, teaching them to better serve as productive students and citizens. We must continue this great work. It appears that a community partnership will be a critical part of the solution.
I am writing this blog from a conference where I am part of a team led by Dr. Roger Breed, Nebraska’s Commissioner of Education. He, like us, has a strong desire to develop a strategic technology framework that can improve teaching and learning results in our state. This is very timely, as we are in the midst of developing a strategic technology plan for LPS. I anticipate the next several years will represent transformative change in our classrooms as technology becomes embedded in our delivery of services, and in our lessons and instruction.
Finally, I would like to thank all of this year’s LPS retirees for their tremendous contributions to student success. The value of their commitment has resulted in LPS being a leading school district in the country. I am also excited to welcome all our new members to the LPS team. This is truly an exciting time in our history, and we are counting on you to help us reach our bold goals.
