Put Student Learning First

This is an interesting time of year for school districts. We are celebrating the successes of the year, yet we already have an eye on next year. For students this means college or jobs, for others it means entering a new grade and possibly a new building. For staff it means a focus on what changes might occur for the coming year and planning for any curriculum adjustments.

For me, it means thinking about the budget. It is no secret that the last several years have been financially challenging. It is easy for me to get caught up in the numbers and lose sight of the “why” behind the decisions that need to be made regarding the budget. In talking to some colleagues recently, I was reminded that this time of year it is important to put student learning first. This is important both as we celebrate the learning that has occurred this year and as we consider the various options for the coming year.