Lawrence is among the best-educated populations in the country; 44 percent of residents 25 and older have at least four years of college education. An educated community has high academic expectations of its public schools.

Educational resources are plentiful in our college town, and community support of education from universities, businesses, parents and citizens improves the level of educational opportunities available to our students.

My impressions of our school district have been shaped by about 30 years of involvement with its people — first as a parent, then later as a student teacher, teacher, principal and school administrator, and now as superintendent of schools and a grandparent. What I have found is that public education is a people business, and our people make us special. Your school district is the second-largest employer in Lawrence after Kansas University. Each day, 1,650 people go to work for kids in our Lawrence public schools.

Fifty-eight percent of those people are certified teachers and educational specialists. A competent, highly qualified, caring teacher in every classroom: That’s our goal. Working with this faculty is a privilege. Our teachers are recognized in Kansas, the region and nationally. They are National Board Certified Teachers, National Milken Family Foundation Educators, Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Famers, Kansas Master Teachers and Kansas Teachers of the Year.

Teachers play a significant role in the school family. Yes, they teach children to read and write, inquire and problem-solve. They also celebrate students’ joys — the loss of a first tooth, the birth of a sibling and family vacations — and comfort students’ sorrows, from hurt feelings and skinned knees to personal family tragedies. Many of our teachers also are parents whose families make sacrifices so they can teach, supervise co-curricular activities, sponsor clubs and coach student-athletes.

Working with teachers are counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses and educational specialists trained to teach students with special needs. Student needs extend beyond academic subjects. It’s no surprise that with KU’s reputation as the top special education program in the country, many families move to Lawrence and look to our schools to meet their students’ special educational needs.

Lawrence teachers are meeting students’ diverse needs with high expectations, compassion, and a command of the curriculum and the classroom. They enlist parent and community support, and spend countless hours outside of school planning effective instruction. They pour their hearts into their profession, tackling new challenges with a sense of responsibility and a sense of humor.

In addition to our fine certified staff, we employ almost 700 educational support personnel whose jobs are to support teaching and learning in the classrooms. They are paraprofessionals, secretaries, operations and maintenance employees, food services personnel, technicians, and administrative services professionals. They are experienced, well-qualified, and dedicated professionals. They provide safe and clean learning environments, nutritious meals, and administrative, managerial and technical support to assist teachers, parents and students.

Public education is a people business; the people who make up your public schools make Lawrence special.

Randy Weseman is the superintendent of Lawrence schools.