Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! What a blessing it is to be a member of this group. The Utah School Superintendents Association is one of the most unified organizations I have ever been associated with. We have seen our share of struggle and difficulty over the years. Regardless of the challenges we have faced, we have continued to stick together to improve the lives of the children we serve and the schools we love. It certainly hasn’t been easy, but as Thomas Paine once said, “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph!”
One of my favorite days of the year is our annual USSA Retirement Banquet at the Homestead each June. Over the past ten years since I have been involved with USSA we have honored some of the best school leaders in the country. Not only are they talented educators, but these individuals are also some of the finest individuals I have ever known. The lessons learned through both conversation and life’s examples have been invaluable for me over the years. Not only does USSA provide us with on-the-job, hands-on professional learning opportunities and connections, the 41 school district superintendents, RESA Directors, and USBE leaders are a lifeline to me and my family. USSA members provide a support group that is unique because, so few truly understand the day-to-day challenges, struggles, and triumphs of what it is like to be a school district superintendent. USSA members past and present are some of my dearest and most important friends.
To all members of the USSA new and old, we welcome you and we need you! One of the greatest strengths of our organization is that you have a welcome seat at the table regardless of the number of years you have served or the size of your district. We need your voice so please don’t hesitate to share your unique insights and perspectives. You will notice that there isn’t a seating chart in our meetings, we encourage you to become acquainted and get to know one another. Truly, we are stronger and much better off when we collectively share and work together.
Over the past several years I have studied and tried to implement the principles found in the book Culturize by Jimmy Casas. The core four principles found in the book seem to have as much relevance specific to our organization as they do for schools: *Be a Champion for All Students* *Expect Excellence* *Carry the Banner* *Be a Merchant of Hope.* I look forward to working shoulder to shoulder with each of you this year!
Sincerely,
Cade Douglas, USSA President 2023-24