By Pat Kimble | Superintendent, Adams County/Ohio Valley School District

Mrs. Jane Sonenshein, representing the Ohio Department of Education as our State School Board Member, was in attendance at the Sept. AC/OVSD Board of Education meeting held at PHS. Mrs. Sonenshein was on hand to present our District with a banner from ODE, recognizing the fact that our/your school district was rated "Excellent" on the 2008 Local Report Card. This is such an honor for the District, as we have been working toward this level of competency through the various achievement tests for some time.

To finally be recognized by ODE and the State School Board for this positive accomplishment, brings about fulfillment, and pride in all of us. It should not, however, bring about a feeling or sense of complacency in any of us. Why? We still aren't where we want or need to be with regard to student achievement, especially with our subgroup populations and our highest achievers.

I might coin an expression used to describe a far more serious situation by a far more well-known individual. This is a battle that has to be won in stages. Our school district has been winning the battle toward a level of competency in stages over the past several years. The progress has been prescriptive, methodical, and sometimes slower than we would like. Yet, progress has indeed been achieved in stages, one stage at a time.

We are all to be commended for our efforts - including our students and parents. Parents, this is a tough and ongoing battle. We absolutely need your help and encouragement in the classrooms and schools if we are to maintain and improve on our "Excellent" rating. On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank everyone who is or who has been fighting this battle for excellence. It takes all of us working toward this common goal of excellence on a daily basis, not just when it is "testing time."

I also want to thank Mrs. Sonenshein for being supportive of our district initiatives and progress over the past few years. Her efforts to attend our board meeting to make this special presentation to this district are also very much appreciated. For now, the battle goes on. To the victors go the spoils. Who knows, perhaps at some point our District will be recognized as "Excellent with Distinction." Now, that's a goal to keep in mind!