School district?s staff commendable

To the editor:

May is School Board Appreciation Month, May 8 is the morning that the school district holds its Staff Appreciation and Teacher of the Year Breakfast, and May 4 was another successful Faculty Follies program organized by the Education Foundation for Fairfield Public Schools. I am full of appreciation for the hard work and talents of the many groups and individuals serving Fairfield area students!

FCSD school board members are extremely dedicated, and their work and time commitment goes far beyond a monthly meeting. Board members participate on various board committees, attend training and workshops, and spend many hours studying education issues and speaking with constituents. This board does a tremendous job of considering all angles of situations, listening to each other, and making decisions in the best interest of FCSD students and the community. I don?t think you can find a more dedicated group of volunteers.

FCSD staff work tirelessly to serve the district?s students, and they pull together and support students, families, and other staff members in tough times. Without fail, when I take the opportunity to go out and visit and observe all of the district attendance centers, I come away feeling positive about what is going on in our schools, impressed with our dedicated teaching staff and support staff, and blessed to be able to serve as FCSD superintendent.

Serving as an ex-officio member on the Education Foundation of the Fairfield Public Schools, I get to see firsthand how committed this group of people is. They are a bright, creative, energetic group of problem-solvers. The Ed. Foundation members are great stewards of the foundation base that has been raised, and each year they thoughtfully provide thousands of dollars of support to teachers and the district twice a year during grant periods. This foundation has donated over $250,000 of equipment and materials since its inception, and that is a huge benefit to FCSD students!

As I worked to share information about the upcoming high school project this spring, I got the opportunity to speak with a number of community service groups and clubs. I also have the benefit of working with the Fairfield Economic Development Association, Fairfield Manufacturers? Association, Fairfield Area Ministerial Association, Chamber of Commerce, Indian Hills Community College, M.U.M. and MSAE, area media, and others. As a result, I appreciate the Fairfield area community so much and want to thank everyone for making Fairfield such a wonderful place to work and learn and live!

­? Art Sathoff, Fairfield Community School District superintendent