Superintendent’s Comments – August 14, 2018

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SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Dr. Lynda C. Andre
August 14, 2018

  • Welcome to the 2018-2019 School Year
  • Blueprint for Excellence and Focus on Finance Reports

Welcome to the start of the 2018-2019 school year! District 7 schools received more than 7,500 students yesterday. Teachers and staff members have created warm and inviting classrooms and have attended countless hours of professional development and meetings with colleagues over the summer to be ready for this year.

Principals and assistant principals have been hard at work not only in professional development workshops but meeting with new families, new teachers, and other support staff hired to join the District 7 family.

The District 7 custodial, maintenance, and grounds staffs have also been hard at work preparing our 15 campuses for the year. They have done an outstanding job.

Our technology staff has also completed critical projects such as the installation of WIFI at Edwardsville High School and the installation of more than 300 new student computers at schools across the district.

The District’s newest employees in the expanded School Safety Officer Program have also received training as we increase school security services to include the before and after school Kid Zone programs.

I want to thank all District 7 parents who trust us to educate their children; it is a responsibility we take very seriously. On behalf of the Board of Education and our 978 employees, we welcome everyone to the 2018-2019 school year.

Blueprint for Excellence and Focus on Finance Reports

Beginning this month and continuing through the fall, the administration will present updates to the community through Blueprint for Excellence and Focus on Finance reports on the implementation of the second year of the Prop E plan. This year, several exciting initiatives will begin, all due to the generosity of the citizens of District 7.

  • All students received new math instructional materials and textbooks.
  • Edwardsville High School now has WIFI and a learning management system on a secure network.
  • More than 300 new computers were installed across District 7 schools.
  • The expansion of the School Security Officer program provides coverage during hours of Kid Zone operation.
  • District 7 will have a balanced budget for the first time in ten years and is on track to begin paying down a significant portion of the Education Fund debt by next summer.

I will continue to report on the status of the new curriculum, technology, and school security initiatives as well as provide updates on the District’s progress toward achieving financial stability throughout the year.