Friday, August 17, 2001

New school year brings renewed commitment to excellence

The Fulton County School System begins each school year with a leadership conference for local school principals, assistant principals, central office administrative staff, and parent and business leaders.

This year we were fortunate to hear from one of our parents, Dr. Timothy Mescon, who serves as dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University and as a partner in a leading management consultant group.

In challenging our staff to practice 21st century leadership skills, Dr. Mescon referred to the Creole word, lagniappe. The dictionary describes lagniappe as a small gift given to a customer by a merchant. Simply put, it means "a little more, a little better."

As part of our Model for Excellence, the Fulton County School System strives to listen and respond to our customer needs. Then, we try to go beyond those basic needs by offering a little more, a little better.

This is evident in our instructional program, our building program, our management structure, and in how we conduct our day-to-day business. Lagniappe is how we distinguish ourselves as an award-winning school system. As the new school year begins, we renew our commitment to provide you a little more, a little better.

In return, we ask for your help. We have many issues to address this school year, and your input is needed and valued. We have a history of community involvement, and we plan to expand upon that tradition this year.

We currently are seeking your thoughts on the reapportionment of School Board district lines. Our board districts must change to more accurately reflect the population of our county. The board, working with the Reapportionment Office, has developed three options:

Seven-member board (six districts, one at-large member) ­ This alternative includes four districts in north county and two in south county, with one member elected by the entire voting population.

Seven-member board (seven districts) ­ This alternative includes four districts in north county, two in south county, and one split district containing portions of Sandy Springs and East Point.

Nine-member board (nine districts) ­ This alternative would increase the number of board members from seven to nine and include six districts in north county and three districts in south county.

Later this month, the board will present one of these options to the Fulton County legislative delegation. The one selected depends upon what you have to say. The board has scheduled three public hearings to gather community input and will use that information before making a final decision. The two remaining hearing dates are:

F Monday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m., Dunwoody Springs Elementary School, 8100 Roberts Dr., Sandy Springs.

F Tuesday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m., Fulton County School System Administrative Center, 786 Cleveland Ave., Atlanta.

I hope you will take time to review the reapportionment issue and the process being followed. Information is provided on our Web site, www.fulton.k12.ga.us , or by calling the Community Relations Department at 404-763-6830. This is just one more example of how we involve you in the educational process.

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