The first day of school is my favorite day of the year. It’s so exciting to be back on campus with our kids and our staff members! I was able to visit several schools this morning and I have to say I was impressed … every where I went I saw staff members focused on kids and kids eager to start off the new year right.

To me the first day of school is better than any holiday, because it’s the one day of the year when everything is fresh and new. Floors are waxed, pencils are sharp, crayons are unbroken, bulletin boards are bright and welcoming and our expectations are high for a great school year. As the year goes on, it’s inevitable that the floors will get scuffed, pencils will wear down, crayons will snap and bulletin boards will fade. But we can never let our expectations fall … our expectations for kids and ourselves must stay as high all year as they are today. Every child who walks through the doors of our schools will bring his or her own strengths and talents. It’s up to us to ensure that they stay as excited about coming to school as they were this morning.

We’re blessed in Fayette County with talented staff members, supportive families, involved community members and wonderful students. Every family sends us the very best child they have and as a school district, we in turn have an obligation to give that child the very best that we have. I know how hard our employees have worked this summer to prepare for the 2007-2008 school year, and I want to thank each and every one of you in advance for the commitment and effort you will continue to give our students this year.

From the school board meeting room to the classroom, from the cafeteria to the bus garage, every single decision we make has to be about what’s best for kids. Each staff member has something important to contribute and when we all work together, our school district will soar.

There are many exciting changes in our school district this year … we’re offering expanded opportunities for our kids in world languages, music, chess and other strategic games, extra curricular activities, advanced curriculums, international exchanges and video teleconferencing. With all the exciting things happening, it’s no wonder that our student enrollment has grown by more than 300 students each year for the last five years. Our school Internet connections will be noticeably faster this year and we will soon unveil a new and improved district Web page designed to be less cluttered and easier to navigate, as well as a new look for Stu’s News that will be less type-heavy and more readable.

With each improvement we’re taking Fayette County Public Schools up to the next level. Our district has always had pockets of excellence, but together we can spread that excellence to every corner of our community. With your help this will be the best year ever for the Fayette County Public Schools!