It is my privilege to begin working with a new board of directors. With the excitement of change also comes the reality of challenge.

Through many years as a school district superintendent, I have come to believe that school boards are a wonderful microcosm of a community. Traditionally, board members, individually and collectively, reflect, in my opinion, the values of a community.

I believe this new board has responsibilities to focus first and foremost on student achievement, curricular and co-curricular. In that regard, I am hoping they will execute their responsibilities in the following broad ways:

• Setting a vision: Using community and staff, set a vision for student learning and express beliefs about student learning.

•Estab-lishing goals: Create student achievement as the central core belief of the district. Define what improvement means to the district and community.

• Developing policy: Establish policy as a structure to support student achievement.

• Allocating resources: Prioritize the budget and allocate resources that maximize student learning.

• Assuring accountability: Monitor district programs to ensure annual progress is being made and the public is informed about student progress.

However, in order to focus efforts on student achievement, the board will face a number of immediate systemwide challenges. Among the larger issues this board will face are:

• Developing a facilities plan that maximizes available space, is sustainable and accounts for a declining student enrollment.

• Creating a budget and budget process that supports our recently adopted Strategic Plan.

• Initiating a communication system that is open, transparent, informative and builds trust.

• Committing to the importance of systematically funding staff training, curriculum and materials adoption and providing for a mechanism to assure our curriculum is aligned.

• Exploring and implementing ways to allow for joint use and governance of facilities by various taxing districts and Island user groups.

• Focusing on the recruitment and retention of outstanding staff at all levels, including the recognition of the impact of collective bargaining.

• Coming to an agreement with staff and community members on the skills, attributes, experiences and challenges facing a new superintendent.

• Completing the review of board policies.

• Working as a team and enjoying both the board work and responsibilities.

While the above is not an exhaustive list, it outlines some of the important responsibilities facing our school district. However, the responsibilities listed are not just the province of the school board. To create and sustain a strong school district the board needs staff and community support.

Community and staff can help by being involved in school district operations, attending board meetings, offering counsel and advice, supporting school activities, and volunteering and guiding the board to reflect community values in the execution of its duties.

We are on a journey to go “from good to great,” but this venture is a partnership. Please help — by staying interested and involved. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Vashon Island School district.

— Terry Lindquist is the acting superintendent at the Vashon Island School District.