Dear Community Members,

For school districts, summer is often a time of transition.  That is definitely the case for our school district with numerous changes during the past couple of months.

The most significant of these changes involve those that work with our students on a daily basis.  Our thoughts turn to those who have left the district either through retirement, new opportunities, or due to the financial issues facing all school districts. The retirees from Beaver Local take with them countless years of experience and memories.  Each of them has no doubt touched our lives and the lives of our students.  They will be missed but definitely not forgotten.  Those who have left were vital contributors in making our school and students successful.  We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

The second phase of transition includes the addition of new staff and faculty; they have large shoes to fill but I am sure they are up to the challenge.  Since this is my first letter to the Beaver Local community, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the warm welcome.  Throughout the interview process and during my first few weeks of the transitional period, I have been pleasantly surprised by the genuine kindness extended from those who I have already met.  While growing up in Salineville, I aways heard about the closeness amongst those who call the Beaver Local home.  It is one of the main reasons  I applied for the position of superintendent and why  I consider myself privileged and honored to represent the school district and community as your new superintendent.

In the months ahead please feel free to stop me and introduce yourself when you see me at a school function or out in the community.  I look forward to working with the staff, students, and community as we continue the journey to excellence and beyond.

 Sincerely,

 Kent C. Polen