Superintendent's Article - October 16, 2008

Louisville Schools are working hard to earn the confidence and financial support of the community. Our recent performance on the State and Local Report Card and the exceptional effort of all of our students is a great source of pride. Our older students are having an exceptional fall sports season and have excelled in academics as well. It has truly been a time to celebrate any number of wonderful accomplishments and experiences in our schools. Our younger students and their families have enjoyed harvest festivals at our elementary schools and honored some very special people in the lives of our children at recent Grandparent's Day programs. Our community has supported our schools and students in a wide variety of events and activities this fall. On behalf of our children and staff, ThankYou!

On Election Day, our community will face a very important decision that will determine the future of our schools. In these tough economic times, voters will need to decide if Louisville Schools will look toward the future or be content to live in the past. As a community that prides itself on being traditional and conservative, I am asking voters to look toward the future. Right now, that "future" is riding our school buses, playing football on Friday nights, marching in our band, taking honors classes, entering kindergarten and taking part in many, many other activities. Our schools and community have certainly embraced our past achievements and successes and have taken great pride in many fine traditions. However, never before has our community and country faced greater challenges and opportunities. Providing new and improved facilities for our students will guarantee that many of those traditions will continue and new traditions will certainly become a part of the lives of our students, parents and community members. A new elementary school will be designed to embrace the past, yet prepare our students for the future!

Now is the time to invest in our best capital, talent and resources- our children. For only a few dollars a month, our community can provide an educational program and facilities that will serve our children, schools and community for the future. That investment will insure the safety of students, a quality education with modern technology, and a bright outlook for our schools and community. Louisville City Schools and our children cannot afford to be left behind. We must prepare our students for a challenging future and world-wide competition with an excellent educational program and outstanding facilities. Our children deserve the very best and should be our #1 priority. School taxes provide for our students, teachers and school buildings- can we think of a better way to spend our tax payer dollars?

Calvin Coolidge was president of our country when Fairhope and Pleasant Grove Elementary Schools were built (1925). It is difficult to fulfill the expectations of a 21st century education with 20th century facilities, now over 80 years old. Now is the time to honor our past history and community traditions and prepare for the future. Working together, Louisville Schools and our community will prepare our children for a brighter future and stronger community. Issue #56 is needed for "Our Children, Our Community and Everyone's Future!"