Fairport Community:

At the end of the first month of school, we, the Fairport Board of Education, wanted to start a periodic communication that we hope will continue well into the future. Over the past year, we identified our strengths, weaknesses, challenges and where we wanted the district to go. One of the overarching findings/themes that emerged is Fairport is unique, that people in the school district feel an affinity toward this district to a depth that has no equal. It has several names: Fairport Culture, Fairport Family or the phrase “Once a Raider – Always a Raider.” All of these names describe the same thing — the people.

The constant the Fairport community will continue to have is the people – you. It is you that makes the Fairport culture and it is you that insists this culture be maintained. The Fairport staff members embrace this culture, striving hard to meet every student where she/he is and supporting her/him in what they can become. It is a pleasure to represent such a community and be a part of this great school district.

Another constant Fairport will have is change. The New York State School Board Association hosted an Education 2030 forum for educators of all types. At the forum, attendees including Fairport BOE members were encouraged to be future thinkers, not just forward thinkers, and imagine what the first-grade students today will need to know by the time they graduate. It is fun to imagine, yet we don’t know – but we do know it will be very different from today.

What is the our role in change and culture as the Fairport Board of Education? We will continue to set the future-focused vision and goals based on the expectation of all stakeholders in the community. We have charged our superintendent to move forward with our long-term strategic plan, developed through a community-wide process. We will follow up, ask questions, receive reports and provide oversight. We will be open to learn, solicit feedback and set the policies to guide this district. We will remain willing to be held accountable. Above all, we will seek to allocate the district’s precious resources to maintain the Fairport culture in an environment that changes fast and of which we want to be a part. As a school community, we can change how we do things, without changing who we are!

As the second month of school starts, we wish you all the best for this school year! We are confident and excited to serve each and every child that comes to Fairport CSD every day.

Sincerely,
Peter Forsgren
Fairport Board of Education President