BASA Letter from Dr. Barnes

Dated October 2024

Dear Colleagues,

The 2024-25 school year is well underway, and I am hopeful that all of you—along with our administrative teams, teachers, staff, students, families, and communities—are celebrating the strides we are making across Ohio to strengthen what we value: academics and education.

I recently read a quote that said, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” As we all know, there isn’t much that’s “easy” about our roles as superintendents. However, recognizing what we value provides the foundation not only for good decision-making but also for growth, achievement, and, dare I say it, even some feel-good joy.

Here at Mayfield, we often talk about “The Mayfield Way.” For years, our employees, parents, and alumni would reference district events, decisions, or outcomes and describe them as “The Mayfield Way.” We all nodded because we understood the sentiment, even if we couldn’t always define it.

Last year, we committed to engaging our stakeholders to take up the challenge of defining “The Mayfield Way.” At first, it wasn’t easy, but as we shared examples, we began to understand what we meant: “The Mayfield Way” represents what we believe and value. Through spirited conversations with teachers, staff, business partners, and neighbors, we identified six core values that guide us: Family, Loyalty, Collaboration, Innovation, Tradition, and Integrity.

Colleagues, values are the heart of our school districts. They underpin everything we do—in and out of the classroom, on and off the field, on the stage, and in our communities. Our values foster a culture of respect, support, and continuous growth. Whether you’ve been in education for one year, 10 years, or 30 years, the question, “What do I value?” remains central. As educational leaders, we must reflect on and act upon our values daily to strengthen Ohio’s schools and nurture the next generation.

Thank you for all you are doing for Ohio’s students, teachers, families, and communities. I wish you continued success throughout the school year.

Regards,

Dr. Michael J. Barnes

BASA President