August 2009

On behalf of the Manatee County School Board and all of the employees of the School District of Manatee County, I am excited to welcome you and your family back for the 2009-2010 school year.

We look forward to welcoming your children into our classrooms as we continue to pursue our mission to “Inspire our students with a passion for learning, empowered to pursue their dreams confidently and creatively while contributing to our community, nation and world.” That mission statement, adopted in cooperation with our community, was thoughtfully and carefully crafted as part of our long-term strategic plan known as EdVantage.

While our district, along with other school districts across the state and nation, have struggled with dramatic declines in funding due to the drastic downturn in the economy, the level of professionalism and commitment maintained by our teachers, administrators and support personnel continues to produce impressive results.

During the last school year, more than half of Manatee County´s public schools received an A-grade from the state based on student performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). In total, 28 of 55 district schools earned the state´s highest grade, and 76% of Manatee District schools received an A or B grade.

In addition, our students continue to excel collectively and individually in a wide variety of areas. This summer, for the sixth year in a row, students from Manatee Technical Institute captured more medals than any other technical school in the nation at the Annual SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City. Also this summer, students from our district earned 10 first-place and 21 top-three trophies at the 31st Annual National Technology Student Association Conference in Denver, and two of our middle school students earned a trip to the National History Fair in Washington, D.C.

This school year, in keeping with the aims and ideals of EdVantage, we will focus on four strategic objectives designed to enhance the educational experience for our students. These strategic objectives will teach our students to demonstrate the following:

	Continually demonstrate enthusiasm for the self-directed pursuit of knowledge.
	Articulate personal goals, create plans to achieve those goals and exhibit progress toward their attainment.
	Continually participate in democratic processes.
	Actively engage in global outreach.

Again, welcome to the new school year. We look forward to working with you to help your children to learn, dream and achieve.

If you have a question, suggestion or concern please feel free to call me at 941-708-8770, 2259 or fax me at 941-708-8686.

Sincerely,

Tim McGonegal
Superintendent of Schools