My
responsibility as your Superintendent is to develop and set a clear vision and
direction for the Board of Education, to bring people with me, and to deliver
results that reflect positive progress for our students’ growth and
achievement.
While
we have much work to do, over the last year and a half we have accomplished a
number of our objectives:
1. Problem-based
learning is taking hold in classrooms
2. Graham
High School has doubled the number of students involved in college credit plus
3. New
pathways in Logistics, Education were added with no new staff
4. Two
Foreign Language electives were added with no additional staff
5. New
online Math curriculum has been addressed at both the elementary and middle
levels at a fraction of the cost of textbooks.
6. Our
literacy foundation Read Imagine Soar! provided resources for Pre-K families
through a grant funded program
7. Graham’s
was recognized countywide with the Spirit of United Way Award for its efforts
in building community partnerships
8. Graham
Elementary received the Momentum Award for literacy achievement
9. Graham’s
Preschool received the 5-Star Step Up To Quality Rating
10. Graham’s
Public Relations received awards for the first time
11. Graham
staff were trained in Bridges Out of Poverty for better community awareness
12. Graham
leaders have facilitated countywide strategic planning to better our community
One
activity has eluded us: securing our fiscal health. Activities during the next
6 months are going to be significant particularly in an environment of
tremendous change in education. The various generational civic and political
interests within our community have made it clear we have a complex dynamic to address
together at Graham. With your help, our vision will guide our students to fulfill
our vision of Success Today, Prepared for Tomorrow in a career, military
branch, or college of their choice.
My work over the
coming months will be to:
ü Gather
information quickly about the community perception of the progress of the
school district
ü To continue
our strong community presence
ü To
assess the district’s strengths and opportunities for improvement
ü To
identify our need and educate community about the levy
ü To
create a network of contacts and resources to assist in the work of improving
the Graham Local Schools.
These activities
give me tangible goals to achieve on behalf of the Board of Education. These
goals will also support the long-term success of our district, students and
staff.
I want to thank our
parents and community partners for all they do for Graham. We are stronger
together, that much is certain.
Sincerely,
Kirk Koennecke