It is with great excitement and anticipation that I begin my 1st year as Superintendent of the Monroe City Schools District. I have had the pleasure of serving this district for 16 years as principal of Neville High School. During my 25 years of experience, education has changed dramatically. New accountability measures, higher academic expectations, and tremendous advances in technology have made teaching and learning more and more complex; however, some things remain the same. If students feel safe, are nurtured and feel cared for, and if schools and communities have high expectations for behavior and schoolwork, learning will take place. As educators, our job is to communicate and model positively within schools and one's community. As Superintendent, educator, and parent, I am passionate about our district and "our" students. I look forward to working with you as we work together taking our educational institution to new heights!

Reaching out to stakeholders and developing mutual respect through dialogue on issues are vital to a successful educational program. I realize we are in difficult financial ti mes and the costs associated with providing our students excellent educational opportunities can be a challenge. However, it is my goal to continue providing excellent opportunities for our students, while being mindful of the financial constraints we are experiencing in today's environment.

I look forward to an exciting year for our students! I urge you to reach out to any staff member or me if you have any concerns regarding our schools. Our l ines of communication are open, and we look forward to hearing from you. On behalf of the teachers, support staff, and administrators in the Monroe City Schools District, we thank you for your support of education!

Brent Vidrine
Superintendentk