As state testing begins, I want to thank everyone for all they have done this year to make sure our kids are learning at very high levels. This testing is a way for us to let our community know how we are doing. I have no doubt that our kids will show everyone that they are performing at the highest levels we have ever seen. There is extraordinary teaching and learning in our schools!

I also would like to thank all of our families and our overall community for their continued support of our schools. We are truly blessed in Fayette County to have people who believe in us and stand alongside us as we move forward. The 16th District PTA, under the leadership of Tina Moorhead, is one of the best in this country, and I feel so blessed to be working with them. In addition, while we have had phenomenal Board of Education members through the years, this board as a whole is one of the best Lexington has ever seen.

It takes all of us working together to make the kind of progress we are seeing, and I just want to say a big thank you!

Special congratulations go out to Leestown Middle School for winning the recent Battle of the Books competition and to Paul Laurence Dunbar High School for bringing home another state academic championship. We continue to see our students and staff succeed at high levels, and we are proud of their accomplishments!

Meanwhile, as spring weather tries to break through, we are moving our schools from heat to air conditioning. With some of our older schools, it takes a couple of days to make the switch. We hope to complete it this week, and we hope the temperatures cooperate with us.

Good luck with KCCT testing!