Bexley Superintendent's Update: Resolution is to continue to lead by listening
Happy New Year to you and your family! I love the start of a new year because it is another opportunity to reflect and reposition, set goals and put plans in place to make them a reality.
This January, although we have a positive outlook on what we can accomplish in the New Year, we also are keeping a close eye on COVID-19 and maintaining a safe learning environment so our students and staff can engage in continuous learning all year. As an organization and school system, we are resolute to keep our focus on our students, first and foremost.
This month we also welcome three new board of education members – Jonathan Baker, Marguerethe Jaede and Joanne Pickrell – who will join Victoria Powers and Alissha Mitchell in service to our community.
Any time someone dedicates personal time to our students and staff, we are immensely grateful. Our board of education members give countless hours, endless energy and various talents to ensure our district has community oversight and direction as we move forward.
As I look ahead to 2022, my personal resolution as the superintendent of Bexley City Schools is to lead by listening.
When I first joined the district in July 2021, I embarked on a listening tour – inviting parents, faculty and staff and community leaders and members to tell me not only what they believe is working well in our school system but also our areas of improvement. And I have learned so much that I am going to double-down on my efforts.
Our district is in a fantastic position. We have excellent students and families; we have expert staff and an engaged community. We also have untapped potential, and it will be up to us where we lead our schools next. Some of the areas of opportunity are innovative learning practices, exploring technology in new ways, upgrading or updating facilities, expanding and improving upon our diversity, equity and inclusion work.
Over the next few months, we will be sharing additional opportunities to hear from our faculty and staff, students, families and you – our community. I encourage you to begin to consider what you see as our greatest strengths and our greatest opportunities for improvement and come ready to share. Together, I am confident we will continue to offer an exceptional educational experience to our students and be a premier district not only in central Ohio but also the state and country.
I look forward to connecting with you so that I can fulfill my resolution to lead by listening. If you already haven’t, please subscribe to our district newsletter on our website and follow us on social media for updates on opportunities to share your feedback with me.
Jason Fine is superintendent of Bexley City Schools. Learn more about the district at bexleyschools.org.
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Bexley Superintendent's Update: Resolution is to continue to lead by listening
