When I was considering joining Springfield Public Schools as superintendent, one of the first things I reviewed was its strategic plan. I was impressed by the vision SPS had created and its dedication to executing that plan. I saw it as a solid foundation upon which to grow and believed my leadership strengths could guide SPS in its continuing pursuit of excellence. 

Growth has been a key theme at SPS since I joined in July. We are encouraging everyone— staff, students, parents and others—to “keep on growing.” To accomplish that, we must objectively assess our strengths and identify areas for potential growth.

That growth philosophy is also the basis of this entry plan. We should celebrate the accomplishments SPS has achieved while also stretching beyond our current capabilities to exceed the expectations of those we serve.

Over the past three months, I have toured schools, studied data and reviewed budgets. But the most important thing I have been doing is listening. To meet the needs of everyone SPS serves, I have to get to know them and understand what is important to each of them.

I want to thank those of you who made time to engage with me in a wide range of formats to share your thoughts. Each of these interactions strengthened my understanding of SPS and inspired my vision for leading our school district forward. 

I hope as you get to know me, you will see that I am committed to authentic engagement and two-way communication. When I seek input, I carefully consider it and use it to inform decisions. I also make it a priority to close the loop and explain the rationale once decisions are made.

The recommendations outlined in this report are the direct result of the input, data and observations collected over the past 90 days. I hope you will see your expectations reflected in my plan to empower SPS to Keep on Growing in our five strategic focus areas: I am excited about the opportunities we have to work together to support students’ academic success, encourage the professional growth of our employees and foster the vitality of our families and the Springfield community.