ATHENS AREA SCHOOLS

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!