Several school districts across the state were back in class today and the more than 40,000 students in Fayette County are starting the school year with a new leader.
When the number 468 big yellow school bus arrived at Mary Todd Lincoln Elementary School this morning, about a dozen excited students jumped off, followed by Fayette County’s new Superintendent Manny Caulk. “You never know what to expect. I was probably more nervous than the students but the excitement and the enthusiasm was alive. It’s a beautiful day to start the first day of school.”
Caulk, came complete with his very own “first day of school” backpack, greeted parents and students, dried a few tears in the kindergarten room and gave a lot of high-fives. He’ll be making at least six other stops today. “I’m excited to see the full continuum so we start at elementary, we’ll see middle, and we’ll see high school as well. I’m looking forward to engaging all of our students and supporting our school leaders”
I asked Caulk about the timing of the start of each school year. Some lawmakers want to have the date fall later on the calendar. His view is that the dates themselves are irrelevant; he wants the focus to be on the amount of quality instructional time that is tailored to the needs of the students.