Understanding the Superintendency - The District’s Symbiotic Relationship with the Taxpayer

In our District the majority for school funding comes from local property taxes. This fact creates a natural symbiotic relationship between property owners and schools. The top factor that influences home values in our state is the quality of local schools. On some level, this is one of the reasons why people support their local schools and want them to succeed - the result is higher property values. Schools have a responsibility in this symbiotic relationship to help raise the value of their community’s property. One way to do this (the way tied closest to our mission) is by doing a great job: helping students to be successful, creating opportunities for a positive learning experience, and connecting students to their community so they want to come back here to live (and hopefully buy a home). Another key method is by sharing the success of our students and promoting both our schools and communities in the process. A way we help facilitate this each year is by meeting with local realtors to help them understand our schools and the work we do. Each year our district, and our other area partner districts, host a realtor breakfast to better inform local realtors about our schools, teachers, and students. We teach real estate agents how to read the school report cards and share many things beyond the data that makes us proud. Realtors are often someone’s first pathway into our community and we want them to understand how great our schools are. Of course, the work of our communications department is focused on sharing our story all year long and these stories are bolstered by what our students, staff, and parents post on social media. Ultimately, it is the school’s responsibility to its taxpayers to share in the symbiotic relationship of celebrating and promoting their community. After all, that is what is best for the kids in the end.