VALDOSTA —
When Dr. Bill Cason announced his plans to step down as superintendent immediately on Monday night, it was a surprise to everyone in the system, including the man recently hired to take his place.
Cason has served the Valdosta School System well and will still officially retire at the end of the semester, but said he felt it was time for new superintendent, Marty Roesch, to step in and take over. Cason stated that having two bosses is not ideal for anyone, and he didn’t want any conflicts to stand in Roesch’s way as he begins planning for the future of the system.
Cason has done a tremendous job during his tenure, and by stepping aside now but remaining as an advisor, Roesch will have an easier transition into the role.
It’s difficult to walk into a new job anywhere, but for Roesch, the last 25 years have been a learning process to get him to where he is today. Holding positions throughout the system, including leadership roles, he has had the opportunity to learn from the bottom up, which will serve him well in understanding the needs of various schools.
Too many entities today consider outsiders before their own employees when top positions come open. It’s demoralizing to the employees not to promote from within, sending a message that the work you’ve done and the loyalty you’ve demonstrated isn’t enough. When the Valdosta school board recognized that one of their own was the best fit for the superintendent’s position, just as the Lowndes system did last year, it was a sign to others in the systems that the work they are doing and the training they are receiving is of the highest caliber.
With the possibility of state and federal budget cuts looming, and the ever-increasing performance standards placed on public education, Superintendent Roesch has his work cut out for him. But coming from solid and familiar ground gives him the edge he will need to position the school system for continued excellence.
What We Think
Farewell, Cason; Welcome, Roesch
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Tornado: An aftermath of help
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Tornado: An aftermath of help
