Last days as superintendent

Dear Keota School District Patrons,

June 30, 2016, will be my last day as Keota?s superintendent. For the last seven years, it has been an honor and privilege serving as your superintendent.

I will always cherish the many positive relationships I have formed in the Keota and Harper communities. The students, teachers, and other staff members have been wonderful to work with and I have enjoyed getting to know the parents and other community members. There are too many people to thank individually, but I want to express my appreciation to everyone who supported us and sacrificed to put student needs first.

During the last seven years we have accomplished many things together. Some of those achievements include the following:

1) created a seven-year curriculum cycle that purchased new teacher instructional and student learning materials replacing old and obsolete materials that were up to 25 years old;

2) expanded learning opportunities for high school students allowing them to take numerous higher level classes, some even for college credit, through school district cooperation with local community colleges and surrounding school districts;

3) initiated an ?Annual District Report? that shares yearly student achievement data and other pertinent information with the community;

4) shared numerous teaching and other staff positions with neighboring school districts that brought state financial incentives to Keota while also maximizing local fiscal efficiency;

5) replaced outdated computers and enhanced district computer network capabilities to allow high school students the ability to take upper level online classes while also providing more learning opportunities for younger students;

6) replaced the district bus fleet with more fuel-efficient propane buses that require less maintenance;

7) undertook energy saving construction projects that save the district over $25,000 annually in utility costs, thus helping the general fund;

8) instituted an Elementary School PBIS program, a proactive approach to student discipline that puts the focus on preventing negative student behaviors rather than make student punishment the primary focus;

9) improved the district?s financial situation by raising the district?s solvency ratio from minus 3.12 percent seven years ago to a current solvency ratio of approximately 25.5 percent;

10) increased the Unspent Balance for the district from $229,000 in FY2009 to an estimated amount of $800,000 after this year.

There were many other accomplishments. These could not have happened without the unified leadership of the school board; the dedication of the teachers, administrators, and other staff members; and the support of parents and community members. Educational excellence happens when everyone works together with student learning as their highest priority.

A Keota community member recently asked me if I was relieved to be leaving. I answered, ?yes,? but not for the reason you might think. It is obvious that my current position as Keota?s superintendent has divided the community. It is my hope that through my leaving, the divisions in the school district and in the community can once again come together and do what is best for the students.

I truly enjoyed my time as your superintendent. I will take with me many warm memories that will continue to bring a smile to my face long after I have left. I leave with no hard feelings and will continue to wish only the best for the school district and the Keota and Harper communities. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle!

Yours in service,

Mark Schneider