Articles by the Superintendent

Growing up the eldest son of an elementary school teacher, I have distinct memories of crucial learning experiences that I took for granted for most of my life. Reading was always a part of our lives. I can’t claim to have been as studious at a younger age as I would be as an adult, but we had books, magazines, and our pre-Internet repository of knowledge, the World Book Encyclopedia set. I have memories of my parents reading to me and, equally as important, talking to me to teach me the meaning of words.

I believe the old saying that money can’t buy happiness is fundamentally true. I also believe that a lack of financial knowledge makes life unnecessarily stressful for many in our consumer-oriented world. Young adults are frequently bombarded with credit card offers and high-interest financing deals that can derail their financial well-being. The ability to navigate the complexities of personal finance has never been more important.

A core mission of public schools is to ensure that graduates are ready for college or a career upon leaving high school. Research and employers consistently tell us that employability or “soft” skills are crucial for graduates entering the workforce. 

Smartphones and social media are significant components of our daily lives. While technology offers significant benefits, including instant communication, access to information, and educational resources, it also presents challenges that parents and educators must navigate carefully. In schools, we see firsthand the advantages and concerns that these tools present.

As we welcome 2026 and prepare to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday later this year, it is fitting to remember that public education is one of our nation’s most enduring promises. Long before test scores, funding formulas, or political debates, our Founding Fathers understood that educating all citizens is crucial to protecting and sustaining a representative democracy. Thomas Jefferson wrote that an educated public is “a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” John Adams and Benjamin Franklin echoed that sentiment, noting that the liberty of a republic could not be preserved without general knowledge among the people.