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It is with much excitement that I
approach the beginning of my tenure as superintendent of the
Dougherty County School System. This system has a rich history
of serving young people and serving our community. My
excitement comes from the opportunity to reach higher, to do
more, to provide educational achievement and public service
Beyond All Expectations.
With my background in behavioral and
social sciences and special education, I am most familiar with
the research that outlines what has been done and what remains
to be done to improve the opportunities of learning for our
children. This school system is positioned in a time and place
and with the ability to have a tremendous impact on the lives
of these 16,000 students. But to succeed, everyone must commit
to the work at hand.
We need principals to lead and inspire
teachers to seek the best for students, daily. We need
teachers who will continue to give their all for the growth
and improvement of their students. We need support staff
working in offices, in cafeterias, and driving buses, to know
that we are all educators and we all have important parts to
play in the mission of educating our children. We need to
build the cycle of SUCCESS and break down the cycle of
failure!
Fundamentally, we need parents to be
involved in the lives of their children in new ways and with
renewed commitment. Research shows that the graduation rate
for systems where parents are involved is well above our state
and national graduation rates. We can improve graduation
rates, test scores, attendance, and all areas of student
success when parents and community members invest their time
in raising our young.
I have been made to feel welcome by
the staff and leadership I have met since coming to work on
June 8. I want you, whether employee, volunteer, community
member, parent or student, to feel welcomed to the new
opportunities that lie ahead for each of us. Join me in making
that commitment to our future and to the students of the
Dougherty County School System. I look forward to serving them
with you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joshua W. Murfree, Jr.
Superintendent |
