<![CDATA[ATHENS AREA SCHOOLS - Superintendent's Blog]]>Mon, 21 May 2012 10:30:22 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Follow Me on Twitter]]>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:59:37 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2012/04/follow-me-on-twitter1.htmlIf you're interested in not-necessarily-school-related stuff from me, follow me @RichPFranklin on Twitter.  That is my personal site, so I feel free to comment on sports, politics, food, movies, etc., in a very opinionated manner.  I'm not on that other social networking site that so many of our friends seem to be, but if you're on Twitter, please feel free to check it out.  (If your name is not apparent from your address or profile, however, I'll ask once, then block you!)
]]><![CDATA[Spring Break Not a Day Too Soon]]>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:37:38 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2012/03/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.htmlExcept 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!
]]><![CDATA[Good Luck, Climax-Scotts!]]>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:14:14 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2012/03/good-luck-climax-scotts.htmlSeems 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.
]]><![CDATA[Winners!]]>Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:54:10 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2012/03/winners.htmlI'm posting this now, so no one can say it was influenced by a win or loss.  Our girls' basketball team are winners.  They are winners because they play as a unit.  They are winners because they play unselfishly.  They are winners because they listen to their coach.  They are winners because they are smart, good girls.  They are winners because they have won our hearts and given this community excitement and pride that have lifted us up and brought us together.  Whatever happens at Saturday's game--and we all know it will be a victory--you girls are winners.  Congratulations!
]]><![CDATA[What's all this about "turning over boards"?]]>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:53:28 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2012/03/whats-all-this-about-turning-over-boards.htmlI'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.
]]><![CDATA[Welcome to 2012]]>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:53:04 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2012/01/welcome-to-2012.htmlWell, 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!
]]><![CDATA[Coldwater Superintendent Honored]]>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:40:30 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2011/11/coldwater-superintendent-honored.htmlCongratulations 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 ]]><![CDATA[Congratulations to Coach K, A True Class Act]]>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:06:27 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2011/11/congratulations-to-coach-k-a-true-class-act.htmlThe 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!
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]]><![CDATA[Snow!]]>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:06:17 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2011/11/snow.htmlWow.
]]><![CDATA[Sixth Graders Move In]]>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:25:14 -0800http://www.athensk12.org/1/post/2011/11/sixth-graders-move-in.htmlToday 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!
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