West Clermont Words: Listening

By Natasha L. Adams, Superintendent

WEST CLERMONT WORDS: LISTENING

The 2018-19 school year is fully underway and we are off to another great start. I am especially thankful to all of you for welcoming me into the Wolfpack here at West Clermont. The community pride here runs deep and I am thrilled to be a part of it all.

In settling in, I have been taking the time to really get to know this community. It has been important for me to talk with so many of you. Most importantly, what I value is the chance to listen, really listen, to what so many of you think and feel about this school system and what the future might look like for it.

I hear positive comments like the fact that West Clermont has a family feel and people genuinely care about the success of our school district. In fact, many mention our teachers/educators as the best thing about the district. Our new facilities are also a source of great pride. I’ve learned our community values quality education and wants to be engaged.

I also hear from many about ways that we can improve. There are comments like obtaining funding and space for more elementary specials (music, art, physical education, technology), safety and security needs, addressing specialized needs, and serving our most vulnerable students (ie: poverty, bullying, student mental health and wellness needs), obtaining funding for high school busing, obtaining funding for more up-to-date technology throughout the district, concern over the lack of media specialists in the elementary schools and a lack of resources. These are just a few of the main concerns people have expressed. There are so many more.

Thank you for sharing all of your comments with me — the good, the not-so-good, and the areas for improvement. With each day, we are always planning our future. We can only chart the best course for our schools if we have a full picture of our strengths and opportunities.

Going forward, I intend to use this blog as a way to communicate with you about the important work and planning that we have ahead as a school system.