Escambia schools focus is clear and it's working | Guestview

Now that we have wrapped up another academic year, we should reflect on the highs and lows, the achievements, and the opportunities that have shaped our journey throughout the school district. It's been a year of progress, growth, and learning for all of us.

Our focus has been clear: students, employees, leadership, fiscal responsibility, and community. These pillars have guided our strategic plan, shaping our goals and priorities. Among these, improving behavior and attendance have been central.

I'm proud to say that we've made strides in these areas. While there's still room for improvement, we've seen very positive trends. Daily attendance tracking has provided valuable insights, revealing fluctuations tied to holidays and breaks. Despite these challenges, our district average stands around 92% for attendance in our traditional schools, a testament to our collective efforts.

Behavior management has been another area of focus. With heightened expectations, we've seen an increase in referrals for behavior improvement. This speaks volumes to our commitment to maintaining high standards by not only building a positive school culture but also engaging our community in addressing these issues.

Creating stability has also been essential in our journey. As confidence in our leadership grows, so does our ability to work together effectively, and ensure a unified vision across our district. This is vital for our continued success.

Our community partnerships have been invaluable. From supporting transportation services to funding classroom resources, the involvement of our community partners has enhanced the educational experience for our students. Together, we've celebrated successes like the achievements of our talented students, both academically and vocationally, and the renovations of our school facilities.

We continue to train the next generation of skilled workers. This year hundreds of STEM students from our elementary schools spent the day at NAS Pensacola gaining hands-on, behind-the-scenes insights into naval aviation. Our Advanced Career Experience programs provide valuable hands-on training in the more than 65 Career Academies that we offer in our middle and high schools.

Looking ahead, I'm excited about what the next school year holds. Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter for thousands of our seniors, a testament to the impact of our collective efforts. As we prepare students for life beyond the classroom, our focus remains on instilling essential life and learning skills.

I'm grateful for the dedication of our educators, staff, students, and community partners. It's through our collaborative efforts that we've achieved success and overcome challenges. As we continue what we have started this year we remain committed to the promise of a high-quality public education that prepares every student for success in schools, and more importantly, in life.

Keith Leonard is superintendent of Escambia County Public Schools.