I promised that each student would be empowered by personalized learning.  I promised that the unique educational needs of every Lower Richland High School student would be addressed via positive school family- community partnerships, data analysis and dialogue.  I intended to be a man of my word because the students deserved it.  Just as important, to paraphrase Aristotle, the fate and the future of this nation are dependent on the education of our youth.  I understood the enormous task I was undertaking and the huge responsibility that rested on my shoulders and my administrative team.  I also stressed that I did not have an S on my chest and neither did my administrative team.  I needed your help.

Stakeholders shared with me their concerns about safety on campus.  They recognized, justifiably so, that students and educators needed to be motivated to work harder to improve overall academic achievement.  High stakes test scores, for better or for worse, have varied and have far reaching ramifications.  Parents and students are embarrassed, confused, and upset when their schools receive ratings below a C.  This leads to a drop in enrollment as parents seek to transfer their children to other schools.  This starts a painful cycle.  School ratings drop, enrollment plummets, businesses choose not to invest in that enrollment zone, and property values may even suffer.  While I was given the charge to improve student academic performance, I did ask that all stakeholders support Lower Richland High School and that they educate their family, friends, neighbors, business associates, and colleagues about the changes that were occurring here on campus. You responded.  The word spread far and wide.  For that I praise you.

I challenged our students and they responded terrifically.  They accepted their piece of accountability for their learning.  I am so proud of their hard work and accomplishments.  It will serve them well in the future.

I challenged our faculty to work harder and better to motivate our students.  They had to educate the whole student, even as they realized that HSAP tests were a national and state barometer of student performance.  Our consultants brought cutting edge professional development to insure that the faculty had the tools and resources to be successful in educating our children.