A Letter from Dr. Lutz on This First Day of Classes

Dr. Randal A. Lutz—a native and a 1986 graduate of —officially climbed to the top of the ladder on July 2 when he swore in as the district's newest superintendent.

Not long after, Lutz penned this letter to the B-W community, detailing district administration's "mission to provide for students: a rigorous, competitive education; a safe, caring community; (and) opportunities to help every student to reach his or her maximum potential."

As B-W students return to classes this Tuesday for the first day of the 2012-13 school year, the timing seems right to call attention to Lutz's letter, available on the district website.

"Quite simply, our administration is here to uphold these goals (from the above quote), explore new directions and clear any obstacle that prevents us from achieving our mission for students," Lutz wrote. "Combining a 'back-to-basics' approach with simple virtues such as trust, encouragement, dignity and respect, we can and we will accomplish the things we aspire to do.

"I consider myself fortunate to have lived in our communities all of my life. For this reason, I am often asked what it is that makes (the) Baldwin-Whitehall School District so distinctive. It's the easiest question I've ever answered. It's because we live among the hardest-working, most ambitious and most generous people anywhere."

Click here to read Lutz's full letter, which he finishes by writing, "As we begin a new year, I want to thank the Board of School Directors for their faith, their leadership and for the opportunity to take responsibility for the growth and vitality of the Baldwin-Whitehall School District."

Have anything to add to Lutz's words on this first day of school? Share them in the comments section below.

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