April 14, 2009

As we prepare to close out the school year, I want to express how happy I am with the progress we have enjoyed in our schools. I continue to stand by my philosophy that good teachers really are the difference-makers determining the overall success of the educational program.

It has been wonderful to witness teachers taking responsibility for the progress of every student. As we have focused on “data-driven decision making”, many of our teachers have demonstrated a personal commitment to ensure that student achievement is their foremost priority. Without exception, students enjoying instructional time with these teachers have made significant strides. I have especially appreciated the work of Mr. Peterson and Ms. Johnston in exhibiting an outstanding effort in tracking student achievement data, and subsequently utilizing the information to improve instruction. While the middle and high schools have also made substantial efforts, the elementary administrative team has been exemplary in their efforts. Thanks again to all of the teachers, students and parents who have worked so diligently with administration to move the programs at the elementary school forward.

In addition to academics, I have very much enjoyed watching the extra-curricular programs grow in leaps and bounds. With tournament quality athletic teams, exceptional music performances, continued success in the speech and debate arena, and the pioneering of little league programs, this has been the year that established pride in our community. As we build from this point, we can expect to witness even greater accomplishments at the State level in these areas. I am confident that as these programs succeed, so shall the academic programs.

Finally, I wish to again address budget issues currently facing the State and particularly our community. As mentioned in prior messages, I am ever grateful for a School Board who made wise decisions in establishing this year’s budget. In addition, we have made every attempt to maintain spending at a level sufficient to meet the needs of the students, but also to ensure that we can navigate these difficult times with minimal interruption to our programs. I can report to you that the district has been able to do so to date and expect that we will continue through the challenges that lie ahead. At this point, we have still yet to receive directive from the Legislature and Department of Education as to the details of next year’s budget. However, we have put in place necessary practices to remain conservative in our budget preparations. Unfortunately, this has meant a reduction in force of approximately four full time employees. We hope that we receive good news from the State in the near future and that we are not impacted to the degree of speculation. However, it is necessary that we proceed cautiously from this point.

I am absolutely confident that we will continue to be successful as we build on this year’s efforts. I hope we continue to surge forward as we close the year out and plan for even greater heights next year. We will expect to receive your input as we host critical conversations with the newly established Advisory Board. Please feel free to share your thoughts with this group and/or at the regularly scheduled Governing Board Meetings. As always, please call me if I can be of assistance to you in any way,

Educationally yours,

Riley Frei
Superintendent
Littlefield Unified School District #9
Office- 928-347-5486
Fax- 928-347-5967