This past week the Austin School Board gave Superintendent Dr.

Saturday, July 22, 2000

This past week the Austin School Board gave Superintendent Dr. James A. Hess a commendable rating.

It’s a rating well deserved by the new leader of Austin’s schools.

Hess came to Austin a little more than a year ago taking over a district in need of new leadership.

In one year, Hess has proved his mettle as a superintendent and also as a vital member of the Austin community.

He has demonstrated the ability to provide financial leadership as well as strong leadership skills in the areas of personnel management and community relations.

His work in the area of community relations is perhaps by far his greatest achievement. He has turned a district once cloaked in secrecy to one that is willing to conduct public hearings and listen to its constituents. The result has been a public more supportive of Austin education and more interested in participating in the process. That’s a good thing for students and for Austin.

The bottom line is the future of Austin’s educational system appears in good hands with Dr. Hess at the helm. Austin’s students and parents should be excited about what lies ahead.