One year ago the word was change. I chose that word because we were on the precipice of great change in our school district. We had just passed a bond issue that promised to bring about transformational change to the high school. Our long time elementary principal had announced his retirement. In the closing paragraph of that blog, and almost in passing I mentioned the opening of the legislative session in just a few days and the possibility of significant changes to education policy. A year later we can look back and say, yes there really has been quite a bit of change. The hashtag used during our opening convocation and included in my email signature block is purposeful. Change is on the Rise!
We are in the midst of a major construction project at the high school. While this is exciting, it has not been without challenges and disruptions. Our teaching staff has had to embrace a somewhat nomadic lifestyle as they move from one room to another while classrooms are being remodeled. From time to time they have to endure the sounds of demolition. At others they have to come up with creative work-arounds while we wait for the blinds to arrive or to work the bugs out of new technology. I am thankful for their flexibility and Mr. Dieken's steady leadership. There is no doubt we will have something to be proud of when the project is complete this fall.
At the same time we embarked on a search for Mr. Schlatter's successor. We were blessed to have a deep talent pool. Even so, a change in leadership is perhaps one of the most stressful times in an organization. Perhaps more so when the leader being replaced is a twenty year veteran of the organization. The challenge of course is that you don't really know what you've got until they sit in the chair. Will they handle the pressure? How will they go about developing relationships with staff and families? In some ways it is a bit like drafting an NFL quarterback. They may look good on paper, but put them under center in a game situation and the wheels come off. Anyone remember Vince Young? Yeah, me either. How about Patrick Mahommes? Six months in and it is apparent that we have drafted Patrick Mahommes with Mrs. Betts.
In both of these instances, the change we have experienced has been good. Or there is the promise of a payoff at some point down the road. I would argue that here, the change has been relatively easy to navigate. The changes ended up (or will end up) with a good result. But what if they don't?
This is where I'll circle back and reference the final paragraph of my 'Change' blog from a year ago: the legislative session. There really is no way to spin it: last year's General Assembly was not good for public schools. The most detrimental change to education last year was the introduction of vouchers into the mix. I know what most of you are thinking: there isn't a non-public school in Hudson so you don't have to worry about it. Or, Hudson Schools is awesome so you will lose very few kids to a non-public school. Both of those statements are true. But the argument that the vouchers will [and have] taken money out of the public school system is also true. Imagine if I have a dollar and split it between 4 people. Everyone gets a quarter. If I take that same dollar and now split it between 5 people, everyone now gets twenty cents. I've just cut your share. Unfortunately there is no way to put the toothpaste back in the tube. Vouchers are here to stay. We have to accept that fact and be prepared to make decisions accordingly.
Further and on a personal note, we have had to deal with some pretty significant life change in 2023. Ann got sick in March and after a month long hospitalization, thankfully she was finally able to come home. However, that has not been the end of the story. Her diagnosis and continued treatment have impacted the way we live in a pretty profound way. I am thankful she is doing well and accept with grace the challenges that are before us. She truly is my inspiration!
Both of us lost parents this year. My dad passed away on June 29th following a lengthy illness. It was a long and painful journey for the family but we are grateful dad is at peace. Ann's mom passed away on October 16. She lived a very long and fulfilling life. We are thankful that she was able to live on her own for so many years.
2024 is in it's infancy. Much like 2023, I anticipate there will be change. Change on the Rise. It's easy to accept change when you are building a new building. It's exciting! It's easy to accept change when your number 1 draft pick actually lives up to the hype. It's a sigh of relief! However, it's less easy to accept change when your world gets turned upside down. That is why I choose the word 'acceptance' for 2024. In closing, I'm reminded of the classic 'Serenity Prayer'. I'll say it daily:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
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