Today marks the beginning of my 36th year in education, and I can tell you honestly that I am as excited today as I was on my first day teaching high school science and physics back in 1974. I woke up this morning with those same butterflies in my stomach, wanting everything to go smoothly! (The biggest difference is that back then I had a full head of hair!)

Across Fayette County, our employees have worked hard all summer getting ready for the kids to return. Our students found some exciting new programs and construction projects when they arrived on campus. These are truly exciting times as Leestown and Bryan Station middle schools and Arlington, Cassidy and Russell Cave elementary schools are all undergoing major renovations. We are in the planning stages of three more renovations -- at Clays Mill and Yates elementaries and Tates Creek Middle -- and the construction of a new stadium for Lafayette High School and a new elementary school in the Keithshire area. Thanks to the support of our community, we are on the way to ensuring that every student in Fayette County has the benefit of a state-of-the-art learning facility.

The agriscience facility that will be under construction soon on Leestown Road will house an incredibly innovative equine/pre-veterinary/farm program for our students. Also new this year are The Learning Center and Opportunity Middle College programs. The Learning Center at Linlee will serve kids who need a different setting for their learning to be maximized. The Opportunity Middle College program will allow juniors and seniors to take their coursework on the Bluegrass Community & Technical College’s Leestown campus and earn both college and high school credit. If they work hard, they could graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in two years.

These are exciting times to be a part of the Fayette County Public Schools – this newsletter is full of proof of the accomplishments of our students and staff – and I can say without hesitation that our district is “On the Right Track!” By now, all of our employees should have received a little welcome-back package with a notepad, a magnetic calendar, a piece of train track and a card from me sharing our theme for the year.

I am so proud of the hard work that has been going on in our school district in the past few years. Our schools have the structures in place to significantly raise student advancement and eliminate achievement gaps, and I know we are headed in the right direction. The light on the front of our train is shining squarely on excellence, and we are moving so fast that the momentum will overcome any obstacle put in our path.