Larry L. Powell The students of Fresno County deserve our very best effort. They face many challenges that didn’t exist for previous generations. The globalization of the economy has challenged our ability as Americans to compete in a worldwide marketplace. In the ‘good old days,’ the worker would move to where the work was. Now, because of the digital age, the work can be moved almost anywhere in the world to the worker. This is the biggest fundamental change that is impacting our students. As a result, we must prepare our students by helping them understand that just because they are Americans, they are not entitled to a middle class lifestyle without the hard work it takes to get there and stay there. The rest of the world is willing to be highly educated and work for forty cents on the dollar and without health or retirement benefits.

Our students can still lead the world, but it will take commitment on the part of students and families and collaboration by the rest of the community to make it happen. I am hopeful that our students will meet and exceed the standards that have been set for them by the state. I am hopeful that business and industry will partner with districts and schools to ensure extra and needed resources for our students. I am hopeful that our families will realize how important an education is to the future of their family and our community.

The Fresno County Office of Education will continue to support strong academic programs, career technical education, and the arts as we work to create a culture rich society where the whole child is important. I want to thank each of you in advance for your support as we take on the challenges of the 21st Century and help our students become successful in the new global economy.

Sincerely,
Larry L. Powell, Superintendent
superintendent@fcoe.org
(559) 265-3010
FAX (559) 237-0733