An Open Letter to the Next FHPS Superintendent

Dear Future FHPS Superintendent,

Thank you so much for considering a move to Forest Hills Public Schools. We are an incredibly proud community built around a top-ranking public school district. 

While we have Forest Hills Central, Eastern and Northern that serve over 9,000 students, we share the motto, “We are one FHPS.” 

From strong academics to championship-winning athletic programs to clubs and activities that meet nearly every need, we couldn’t be more grateful to choose the Forest Hills Public Schools experience for our children. In fact, FHPS is known as a “destination district” because so many families uproot their lives to attend. 

As you consider or interview through the Superintendent search process, there are a few things we want you to know. 

We Are a Pro-Public Education Community and Love Our Educators  

America’s public education system is under attack and we aren’t immune. However, we continue to elect mostly pro-public education candidates at every level of government, especially here in Forest Hills. This is because we want to protect funding for the amazing offerings, retain + recruit the best educators, and attract an experienced superintendent who will want the same for our students. Last fall, local voters answered the call to protect the integrity of our school district and made choices in the Board of Education area of the ballot that is often ignored. 

Most of us spend our days and nights working, taking care of children, volunteering in the schools, substitute teaching, working in the schools, or shuttling our kids to school-related events. This means we don’t have a lot of time to show up in coordinated packs at school board meetings. Those who do show up to abuse the platform to harass others rarely have students here. Of course, we believe that all taxpayers should have a say, but we hope they aren’t singling our schools versus other taxpayer-funded services because of personal politics - especially if any critiques are rooted in mis- or disinformation. 

The podium used to be respected for true last resort emergencies, not political launchpads. We elected a board to do its job. 

We want to keep Forest Hills Public Schools the same wonderful place it has been for decades; progressing with the times and remaining a leader in 21st Century Education.

We Need to Protect our Educators  

Though educators across the country are leaving the profession, we need to avoid this trend at FHPS. We respect that there will always be differences between administration and educators, but we hope their feedback and expertise will be respected, particularly when it comes to their perspectives on the classroom experience, location/classroom assignments, and ability to be a human (not a robot) without the intimidation of local politicians and bullies. 

We Need to Protect ALL Students 

Forest Hills Public Schools has made the news for the wrong reasons, primarily due to political bullies. The fact is, the love for our district and educators is far larger than the one handful of political activists who travel around the county to attack and harass school boards and marginalized youth. 

We have minors being bullied in person and online by these folks, and educators afraid to put a family photo on their desk. This has to stop and the example and leadership for a non-hostile environment starts at the top. 

We also have needs to ensure that our Special Education educators and students have ample resources to thrive. FHPS should be a top-ranking district in this arena. 

In closing, we don’t believe we are asking for anything that isn’t the usual course of business when it comes to leading a top district. 

We aspire to have a Superintendent who leads with expertise, data, regular communication and a genuine love for the community and our kids. We hope you will protect the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation and the programs and educators that go above and beyond. We also hope you will prioritize a safe, inviting district where students are motivated to learn. 

It’s time we focus on what truly matters - the support, safety and success of all students. We look forward to hearing your vision for Forest Hills Public Schools. 

In a tough job like this, you know by now that you’ll never please everyone but trust that after making it through such a thorough vetting process, we are eager to give you the benefit of the doubt and support you from a place of optimism.