This message for SAU 16 educators is another attempt to strive for the best possible communications for all SAU 16 Employees. Every effort has been made in the past five years to allow the six individual school districts to focus on common goals and endeavors. I believe the SAU Boards have made positive strides for the benefit of all the students that they serve. Currently, the SAU is not 'shrinking' in terms of the size of the organization.

We are fast approaching approximately 6000 students with close to 900 employees. Hopefully, endeavors like newsletters, this new website which links to each individual school's website, and First Class e-mail access for all professional staff keep everyone more informed about the on-going activities at the SAU. Other ideas are certainly welcomed, and please do not hesitate to contact my office with your additional thoughts.

We educators are famous for lamenting about "The Good Old Days." Remember those years when all kids were polite and appreciative of our work? Remember when all parents had an unconditional high regard for our professional expertise? Remember when principals...  Or, maybe you remember huge classes, parents who did not seem to care, and a principal covering two buildings?

Two things we can be sure of: the world has become smaller, and so has our SAU. Over the past five years this has become particularly apparent as school boards have had more regular communication. Principals have met at least monthly, and teachers have come to know colleagues from throughout the district by working together on curriculum committees. Please check out what is happening with these committees.

I hope to communicate with you on a regular basis (hopefully at least once each marking period) and next time I hope to focus on activities in each of the SAU schools.
 

- Skip Hanson