This letter to parents marks the last one I will write in the Mark of Excellence as Superintendent of Brevard Public Schools. Since I announced my retirement effective July 1, 2009 I have had many mixed emotions. I am excited to focus on a new phase of my life after nearly 40 years in public education, but will miss being a member of such an amazing academic community. I am proud to have been a part of our District's remarkable successes in recent years. I appreciate the opportunity that I had to lead the District team in calm times and stormy ones as all of us strived for what was best for our students. We have reached unprecedented heights.

As I step down I take satisfaction in knowing that BPS is headed on the path toward becoming “First in the Nation.” Every stakeholder can delight in our accomplishments. I wish to thank each of you who have devoted your time and energy to the success of Brevard Public Schools (BPS).

We were able to accomplish so much as a team and to build further on Brevard’s strong foundation of high expectations and strong performance. We experienced some wonderful victories and we have faced some daunting challenges over the years. Together we have dealt with natural disasters which have left us reeling. Collectively as a community we have mourned and reflected and then responded to the student tragedies that have reminded us of the fragility of the children we serve and the tremendous stress that they face. Throughout the years we have lost colleagues and family members for whom we still grieve. Yet we continue to soldier on toward our goal of serving every student with excellence and emerge stronger and more determined.

I wish I could say that all of our trials have been met and overcome, however I don’t think that will ever be the case for any district or educator. Our funding has withered and during this perfect fiscal storm we have had to and will continue to make some tough decisions, but together we will still work to protect, as much as possible, our students, our educational programs and our employees. Our budgets will never keep pace with the dreams we have for our students. But our students will continue to be children growing into young adults, with all of the joy, heartache and confusion inherent in that journey. Yet, we have the privilege of being a part of their voyage.

While issues come and go and evolve into new concerns, without a doubt, Brevard Public Schools remains a strong force for education. As with any exceptional district, current work lays the groundwork for future efforts. By instituting Secondary Schools of National Prominence (SSNP) with its resources, standards and high expectations, our team established a process by which every student will graduate from high school prepared to enter and be successful in the workplace, in further education and/or in postsecondary degree opportunities. Last year, 83 out of 84 Brevard schools, or 99 percent received a grade of A or B with 77 schools receiving As. This is the highest performance in the history of the district. BPS has received an overall grade of an A for the fifth consecutive year. Our academic achievements are phenomenal and the educational opportunities afforded to our students are second to none.

We carry the distinction of being first by far in the number of Music Demonstration Schools in the state, with 23 of the 28 schools in Florida and we are second in the nation in the percentage of National Board Certified Teachers. In 2008, 77 BPS students simultaneously earned high school diplomas and A.A. degrees, an increase of 670 percent from the 10 earned just six years ago. BPS ranks first in Florida in the percentage of students in dual enrollment and BPS is tied for the second best in the state for graduation rate. BPS has seven schools designated National Blue Ribbon Schools and BPS is First in the Nation in the number of Discovery STAR educators; recognition reserved for those teachers that have shown evidence of integrating digital resources with 21^st century learning. These are just a few of the exceptional academic accomplishments of our students, teachers and schools.

The district not only excels in school based programs but organizationally as well. BPS is recognized as 1 of 50 AARP Best Employers in the United States; the district has received this award for four consecutive years and is the only school district so honored. Brevard has for eight consecutive years earned the Excellence in Financial Reporting designation from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). In addition, Brevard earned the Governor’s STERLING Award in 2007 for organizational excellence and high performance throughout the district. We are only the 2nd district in Florida to receive this award, and the first to receive it since 1993.

Despite our success we will not rest on our laurels. Instead we will strive to be even better. We are currently completing our application for the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award. There are only five school districts in the country to achieve this award for organizational excellence and extraordinary academic performance during its 25 year history and none are as large as the Brevard school district. I am confident that we will challenge successfully for this award because of the outstanding staff in our district.

We have a high achieving school district that is clearly “First in Florida.” We will work together as a team to attain even higher levels of achievement and performance, striving for “First in the Nation.” Achievement in life is about setting high expectations and working hard to meet them. The great American entrepreneur Henry Ford once said “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.” In our school district, we know we can.

I want to thank you again for the opportunity to lead the very best school district in the country!