In just a few days now, Williamson County Schools will officially open its doors welcoming back more than 32,000 students. The 2011-2012 school year promises to be filled with wonder and excitement as we stretch our students to even greater heights. As our employees make final preparations and parents take advantage of the tax-free weekend on school-related items, I thought it appropriate to share a few thoughts.

The County Commission provided the necessary funding for the school district to maintain the quality of education our community is accustomed to enjoying. Williamson County Schools has a long standing reputation of being an educational destination for families. While the budget approved is very lean, it does provide us with the resources necessary to maintain our standard of excellence. We are thankful for the Commission’s stewardship and commitment to our school system.

The School Board’s Strategic Plan remains at the forefront of our decision making and planning. The district, as expected, is on schedule to meet the goals and objectives established in the strategic plan. One example of our progress is the edition of a strings program in one of our high schools’ music departments.

Student achievement results have been released and reflect significant increases in almost every grade and subject area. Williamson County Schools ranks first in achievement in reading, science, and social studies. In addition, ACT scores inched higher as our high school graduates gain admittance into the most prestigious universities of their choosing. This past school year, scholarship awards surpassed expectations which reflect the quality and success of the district’s teaching and learning functions.

These successes, in part, were realized by implementing scope and sequence guides in the school district this past year. Scope and sequence guides provide needed clarity to our curriculum across schools, subject areas and grade levels.  This past summer teachers and administrators reviewed, revised, and added new content to our scope and sequence guides. They will aid us focusing our efforts on increasing the rigor of our curricular offerings.

This year, as a result of new state law, students standardized test scores such as TCAP scores are to be factored in to student grading. To help prepare our students for this eventuality we will be administering formative assessments throughout the year. These assessments will chart individual student progress and provide valuable information to students, parents and teachers.

We have made adjustments to our transportations services for the 2011-2011 school year. These changes will reduce fuel expenses and save taxpayer money. We have successfully eliminated all bus routes in excess of an hour by becoming more deliberate in route planning, eliminating duplicative services where possible, and by combining bus stops.

New this year, four of our high schools will pilot a program where students are permitted to bring and use their own technology during the school day. Laptops, iPads and smart phones will become part of the teaching and learning tool kit found in Williamson County Schools. We will be monitoring and reflecting on the progress of our pilot sites as they lead the district and state in this endeavor.

It is an exciting time to be a citizen in Williamson County. Our schools are and should be a source of pride. We have wonderfully supportive school families. Our employees are hard working, smart and committed to excellence. Local and state officials are supportive of quality schooling and have demonstrated their commitment time and again. The district’s students demonstrate strong character and are actively engaged in the schooling process. These things and more are what make our school system special.

In closing, thank you for allowing our staff to serve the students of Williamson County. It is an honor and a responsibility we take seriously. We are absolutely committed to providing positive results and to add value to the community we serve.

Let the school bells ring, we are ready!

Humbly,

Mike Looney, Ed. D.

Director of Schools