Wednesday night, March 26, 2008, during our Governing Board meeting, I led a study session focusing governing board member's attention on a vision to continue to raise academic standards and expectations in our school district.  On April 9th, the powerpoint I used in making my presentation was adopted by the board as an official communication piece to further communicate the Governing Board's vision for academic excellence in our school district  Here is a link to that powerpoint:  Ottterman Academic Vision Powerpoint.ppt 

I remember starting my service on the governing board in November of 2002 listening to conversations describing how many communities within our district boundaries did not support the efforts of the school district.  It was an us against them mentality.

The conversations were driven by a "watchdog mentality", that offered up excuses and blame for the nonsupport of groups within our school district, but did not provide the leadership and vision necessary to bring diverse groups together.

Conversations were driven by budgetary matters, an important conversation to have, but not at the expense of a more important conversation of raising academic standards and expectations.  The conversations at that time did not have the right priorities in the right order.

It has been difficult, but new leadership teams have worked hard to change the conversations within our district and communities to reflect the common bond that all the diverse interest groups have in our school communities - the raising of academic standards and expectations to a standard that everyone can be proud of.

An outcome of a new educational leadership team's desire to place academic achievement to the forefront of our thinking culminated with three recent events in our district history:

    1.    An academic statement letter ratified by the governing board that drives discussion in our school
           district to be centered on raising academic expectations and standards, and offers up no excuses for
           this failure.
    2.    Governing Board Vision, Mission, and Objectives, ratified this year that sets the vision and road map
           for how we raise our academic standards and expectations throughout our school district.
    3.    For the first time, four schools received a performance rating of a highly performing status.  In addition,
           nine schools rated as performing plus schools and four received a performing label.  Our two 
           underperforming schools will receive additional support in terms of personnel and instructional best
           practices guidance.

It takes a village to support 21st century learning environments.  The stakes are high.  Let us exalt our present accomplishments, but rededicate ourselves to the idea of graduating 21st century learners, that will benefit and give example to, our community's humane political and economic freedom and happiness.

To lead, a great district must command a synergy between its vision, how it defines its vision, and the implementation of this relationship between vision and action.  If we can live up to the idea that all students can learn, no exceptions, if we can live up to the idea that it is our duty to develop responsible complex thinkers that are effective communicators with a passion for life long learning, then we will continue to make historical improvements in academic achievement and excellence.