ATHENS AREA SCHOOLS

Except for my first grader, who thinks it a shame that we will not have school for a whole week, most of us around here are ready for a break.  What a season it's been for victories--state finalists in wrestling and girls' basketball--and triumphs (another round of great MEAP scores)!  Mother Nature teased us with a taste of summer, then slapped March back in our faces.  For all of us who aren't escaping to warmer climes for the week, at least we'll have a chance to get caught up on a few things around home.  Then get ready for the mad dash to the finish known as April and May.  Please keep checking the calendar and athletics pages for updates, as more events get posted all the time, and the weather is ever-changing!

Seems like just a week ago we were getting ready for a trip to the Breslin Center and state basketball finals.  Oh, wait; we were!  Now that girls' season is over and our friends and neighbors from Climax-Scotts High School are making the same trip with their boys, I want to wish them all the luck in the world.  Win one the little, rural, public schools!  Go Blue!  You can catch the action at 10:00 am Saturday on Fox Sports Detroit (tv) or www.mhsaa.tv.

I'm sorry, but sometimes I am--to borrow a phrase from Shakespeare--"an obstinate heretic in despite of" unnecessary change.  It's the old bandwagon thing:  a new idea rolls through the school or education community, and everybody gets on board. 

As far as I can tell, we are the only district in the Calhoun ISD holding out on extending board terms from four to six years.  Everyone's afraid of the potential for turning over a majority of their school board in one election.

I ask, so what?  What if you did?  More properly, what if the voters did?  It's called the Will of the People.  If the voters want to replace incumbents, assuming the incumbents run for re-election, why is that bad?  Or does it indicate a board has other problems, like having lost the trust of the voters?

If my board votes to change to six-year terms to stagger potential turnover, in view of the new November even-year election law, then so be it.  As a private citizen, though, and a public servant, I don't see fixing something that isn't broken.

Well, the New Year came in snowy and cold but changed its mind pretty quickly!  Congratulations to the Spartans and Wolverines for bowl victories that were both a long time coming.  Here's to a long playoff run for the Lions!  We are beginning to hear about new jobs and an improving economy for our state.  There's also much anticipation of surpluses in the state's general and school aid funds to be announced at the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference this month.  We don't expect any additional money for this year for schools, but if the legislative leadership are as serious as they sound about paying down the unfunded liability in the retirement system, that will work just as well for us in schools.  I'd say we're off on the right foot in 2012.  Let's keep it going in a positive direction.  Relentless positive action is definitely the key to our future!

Congratulations are in order to a local education leader for a special recognition.  Dr. Tina Kerr, Superintendent of Coldwater Community Schools, has been named Superintendent of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Administrators.  Check out the story:  http://www.gomasa.org/news/masa-announces-superintendent-year-2012

The Spartans have been bedeviled by the Blue Devils (and for that matter, tarred and feathered by the Tar Heels) for several of our last great but frustrating basketball seasons.  However, I have to give Duke's Coach, Mike Krzyzewski, his due.  Coach K is more than a great coach.  He is a great leader, a great teacher, and a great teacher of leadership.  I'm sorry my Green and White had to be the ones to provide his 903rd win, putting him ahead of the General, Bobby Knight, another great leader and teacher.  I am not sorry to see him get the credit for a program run with skill and integrity for many years.  In the wake of the Penn State football scandal, as we are reminded that all human figures (like JoPa) have feet of clay, it is good to have examples of integrity held up for young people to look and listen to.  Great job, Coach K!

Wow.

Today our sixth grade classes moved into the new classrooms.  Thank you to our voters and taxpayers.  The students were very excited and took a big part in the move.  The whole process took less than two hours.  I was amazed and pleased.  Next up:  the big band move!