Superintendent's Update

January 2025

Greetings!

The start of a new calendar year welcomes renewed opportunities for celebration, self-reflection and growth. Please join us throughout January as we recognize and celebrate the efforts of the Cedar Springs Public Schools Board of Education! We are grateful to have a collection of board members who are both diverse and unified at the same time.

The Cedar Springs community wisely elected members to the board who think for themselves. While they don't always share the same position on issues, they remain focused on doing everything possible to support the students they serve. They find a middle ground when necessary to progress the district's work. This is a unique dynamic not shared by all school boards.

Our board members are deeply committed to the Red Hawk way as parents of students (past, present or future), community members, business leaders and, in some cases, even graduates of Cedar Springs Public Schools! Their commitment is unified in a shared desire to invest in the community in which they live. They believe strong communities build strong schools and strong schools build stronger communities.

Members of our Board of Education routinely invest 10 to 15 hours per month supporting the district's work. Preparing for and attending 12 monthly meetings and four quarterly work sessions each year is only one part of the work our board members do. Members are also required to invest a significant amount of time tending to district-related correspondence, reading educational materials and attending classes related to their role as a member of a board of education.

Please join us in recognizing the efforts of our Board of Education members:

• Heidi Reed, President
• Matt Shoffner, Vice President
• Traci Slager, Secretary
• Trent Gilmore, Treasurer
• Jason Lund, Trustee
• Mistie Bowser, Trustee
• April Patin, Trustee

A strong Board of Education makes it possible for us to put our B.E.S.T. foot forward for our students in 2025.

For Cedar Springs Public Schools, B.E.S.T. is an acronym for Belonging, Equity, Success and Togetherness. These four values are embedded in our daily efforts to foster conditions in which each one of our students and staff members can thrive:

• Belonging — Each individual is welcomed and included in our Red Hawk community
• Equity — Fair treatment, access and opportunity
• Success — Flourishing by expanding one's potential
• Togetherness — Unified in our effort to foster conditions in which each Red Hawk can thrive

Staff and students are creating inclusive learning communities in our schools. In doing so, each person is connected and contributes to enhancing our Red Hawk experience regardless of their role.

We look forward to being the B.E.S.T. we can be throughout 2025!

With respect and appreciation,

Scott B. Smith
Superintendent of Cedar Springs Public Schools