Focused on Education: New superintendent embraces concept of academic cooperative

First and foremost, I would like to thank all of the community members in both Lind and Ritzville for the warm welcome my family and I have received. Everyone has been extremely friendly and very helpful to us, and we appreciate all of your support. Thank you!

I know there are a lot of questions about the academic cooperative. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to begin to address the cooperative and to share my viewpoints related to the topic of cooperation between our two districts and communities.

First of all, I realize that an academic cooperative is a very significant change for both communities. I understand the concerns related to shifting students in middle school and high school, transportation issues for families and students, changes to graduation, combining programs (FFA for example), etc… I also know that it is very difficult to decide when it is the right time to make changes of this magnitude. Quite possibly, both districts could continue on independently for several more years. However, I believe it takes a lot of courage and foresight to initiate changes prior to being forced into them.

Although I understand the many concerns related to the academic cooperative, I also know what is possible if we combine our resources, skills and support. Prior to coming to Lind and Ritzville, I spent five years working for the St. John-Endicott cooperative school systems. Obviously, it is not my goal to make us like any other school district, but I have seen first hand how two communities can work together to support students and one another within a cooperative school system. I also realize how hard change can be. Having grown up in and always living in small communities, I, as much as anyone, like a normal routine and way of doing business. However, I am also realistic and understand that if we are going to be able to continue to offer the absolute best educational opportunities for our students and communities, we will have to find ways to share resources and work together.

I’m certain there are many people in both communities that would ask why we want to form an academic cooperative. In my mind, there are several reasons:

• Both the Lind and Ritzville School Districts have experienced enrollment declines.

• State funding has been and continues to be a huge issue.

• There is the possibility to utilize our combined teaching staff to create additional education opportunities for our middle and high school students.

• We can share staff (if enrollment and resources continue to decline) when it might not have been possible to maintain a full-time employee.

• We can form a middle school that is designed to meet the unique needs of students in grades 6-8 (separate from elementary or high school students).

• We can create combined grade levels with roughly 30 – 45 students (thus giving students the opportunity to connect, learn and work with additional students).

As a new member of the Lind and Ritzville School Districts, it has been very powerful for me to see how well the athletic cooperative is working. If I did not know the student athletes, I would not be able to tell which athlete is from which community. The students work together as a team regardless of whether or not they may live 50 miles from some of their teammates (Lind/Ritzville/Sprague).

The point is, it is not about where we are from, but rather how willing we are to work together and support one another in both communities. As mentioned, I have seen how well a supported system has worked athletically within our communities and school systems, and I believe the same thing can happen for our academic cooperative.

In my mind, the formation of an academic cooperative will not have a negative impact on either community. I do not believe that by combining our efforts either community will become less viable. In fact, I believe the opposite will happen. When you have students from Ritzville in Lind, the community of Ritzville begins to care a lot more about the community of Lind.

Conversely, when you have students from Lind in Ritzville, the community of Lind begins to care a lot more about the community of Ritzville. Working together and supporting both communities becomes necessary as we work together to provide the best educational opportunities for all students (regardless of where they live). Working together and supporting both communities helps keep both communities viable and alive.

In closing, I urge you to think about the possibilities and what the academic cooperative could become. What can we accomplish for students by working together and combining our resources and talents? I also want each of you to know that my door is open and I am willing to meet with anyone to discuss the academic cooperative and any other school issues. Ultimately, my goal is to provide the best possible learning environment for the children of Lind and Ritzville, and I welcome your opinions, questions and ideas.

Thank you!

Rob Roettger, Superintendent, Lind/Ritzville School Districts