With every new school year comes the anticipation of a fresh start.

Students, staff and parents alike are rested from a summer filled with fun activities and ready to tackle new academic challenges. I am pleased to welcome everybody back as we begin a new school year together.

As we look ahead to the 2016-17 school year, I have full confidence that we will take the enthusiasm from our incoming kindergarten class of 2029 and the bond construction updates to continue to provide the best educational environment for our children.

As we look forward to the coming year, it is important to remember the beliefs we outlined in the strategic plan developed last year: education is essential for future success, all children can learn and achieve their personal best, children learn in different ways at different paces, schools must be a safe and secure environment, the partnership of our staff, parents and community is vital to the success of our learners, and high expectations are important for all stakeholders. Referring back to these beliefs throughout the year will keep all of us grounded and accountable.

Construction will begin in 2017 for all other buildings aside from Ring Lardner and Howard-Ellis, with the bids opening this fall. As I’ve shared recently, bids we’ve received would have required many changes to the scope of work we could perform. As a result, we will be rebidding these projects in the fall and thus, the schedule of construction across all buildings, as well as the phasing of construction at each building, will be impacted. Still, I am fully confident that even with these unforeseen changes, we will be effective in providing our district what it needs while working together to manage any hurdles throughout this process.

We will work diligently to keep classroom learning uninterrupted and will keep our focus on our number one goal of furthering academic success for our students.

In addition to opening bids this fall, we also need to seek renewal of our sinking fund. This is not a tax increase, but it does allow us to continue to update and improve our facilities through critical projects that are not within the scope of the bond.

Roofs, parking lots and transportation vehicles are a few examples of essential needs that would be covered by the sinking fund at no additional cost to school district residents. The sinking fund will be on the November ballot and we will continue to share information to help everyone in the community make an informed decision.

Throughout the coming school year, I plan to move around the district to meet with students and staff as changes take place at our schools. What I can honestly say is that we have great people living and working in this community and I am grateful to have the opportunity to be so engrained in our city.

Together, we will be able to take education to a new level with our building updates, continued education improvements and commitment to our students.

Back to school is always an exciting time. Along with a return to studies, being back in session means our sports teams are competing once again. To that end, I encourage everyone to show your school spirit this fall by kicking off the school year right and supporting our student athletes and amazing band at the many games on the schedule this year. See you in the bleachers! Go Vikings!

 

Dr. Dan Applegate is the superintendent at Niles Community Schools.