Dear LISD Community,
It is an honor to serve as your Superintendent of Schools and I want to thank you for making me feel so welcome. Lewisville ISD is truly a district that has a small town, family feel even though we cover 127-square miles.
Since my first day on March 1, I’ve had the honor of visiting schools. During these visits, I met with teachers, students, principals and parents. My goal is to visit each campus and community organization by June. I look forward to meeting and visiting with you.
As I have been making my way across the district, I have been asked about my vision for LISD. While developing a shared vision is something our entire community will work together on, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with my educational philosophy.
Three years ago, I worked with 34 other Texas Superintendents to create a true vision for public education for our state. Through our work together, we crafted the Public Education Visioning Institute White Paper. I encourage you to read this document because it clearly articulates how our entire state must come together to provide an education that will prepare our children for today and for the rest of their lives.
While college and career readiness is a focal point, we need to have more foresight than a high school diploma. Our goal is ensure our children can compete in a global economy by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to have a productive and enriched life.
Last week, I had the honor to serve as one of seven superintendents on the CBS 11/TXA 21 panel to discuss school finance. As you know, our state’s school finance system is a serious issue and I encourage you to get involved and learn what this will mean for our children. During this panel, a 13-year-old student participated in the discussion with parents and teachers. He was extremely articulate and shared what he thought about the financial challenges. The anchor asked him what he thought should be cut from our schools. He responded that he liked his classes; he liked the activities he was involved in and didn’t want anything cut. He continued to say that all of the classes and programs are important to him. As I listened to him, I wished that our legislators could hear what this young man was sharing.
Just like this eighth-grader, we all have to speak up and tell our legislators what we want. What also struck me is this thoughtful and articulate young man is a product of Texas public schools! If you didn’t get a chance to see this CBS 11/TXA 21 special, click here to watch it in its entirety.
With an estimated $10 billion cut in education spending in Texas, all Superintendents, Board members, educators, parents and students are worried what this will mean for the future of Texas. I firmly believe in Gov. Rick Perry’s desire to enrich our state by recruiting high-tech firms to start or relocate their business in our great state. My question is, how is that possible when the No. 1 relocation priority is great schools? Funding Texas public schools is not just about providing a strong education for students; it’s also about economic development.
Providing an average or mediocre education program is unacceptable to me and it is unacceptable to you. I encourage you to contact your legislators and request they tap into our rainy day fund. You elected these legislators to serve you and adhere to your needs. Tell them what you think.
As I close this message, I want to reiterate my commitment to you. It is my personal goal to enrich our district while sustaining our longstanding tradition of excellence. I will continue to keep you informed on any initiative and issues facing LISD.
Warm Regards,
Stephen Waddell
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