By Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen
As we enter a new year, there’s a natural sense of renewal in the air, and the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year brings plenty of reasons to be excited. From the buzz of kindergarten registration and school choice opportunities to the celebrations of senior milestones and graduations, this time of year is packed with meaningful moments that underscore our students’ growth and achievements.
This season also offers a chance to evaluate our progress together at Bay District Schools. Our mission to “put the ‘A’ back in Bay” revolves around five essential pillars: Accountability, Attendance, Academic Achievement, Arts, and Athletics. As we reach the halfway point of the school year, here’s a snapshot of where we stand:
Accountability
Sound fiscal management and responsible use of taxpayer dollars remain central to our mission. This year, we’ve trimmed our budget by $30 million without compromising our unwavering focus on enhancing safety and security across our schools. At the same time, we’ve taken steps to better support our employees, raising starting teacher salaries to $50,000 and implementing a five percent pay increase for all other staff. While these are significant achievements, we’re committed to doing even more to support some of our lowest-paid employees in the year ahead.
Attendance
Our district’s average daily attendance rate of 92% is a strong indicator of the dedication of our students, families, and staff. However, we’re closely monitoring the number of students who have missed 10 or more school days, placing them in the category of chronic absenteeism. While sick students must stay home and recover, consistent attendance is critical for long-term academic success. Let’s continue prioritizing regular attendance and ensuring our students remain engaged and thriving.
Academic Achievement
We are thrilled to see our students making remarkable progress! Recent data from the second state testing window highlights continued improvement across all grade levels. This success is a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the invaluable support of parents who reinforce learning at home. Parental involvement remains one of the strongest predictors of academic success, and we’re deeply grateful to all the families partnering with us to invest in their children’s futures.
I am so proud to have recently shared a milestone for Bay District Schools in our 91.4 percent graduation rate for the 2023-2024 school year. While we will not rest until ALL of our scholars cross the stage, I am incredibly proud of the students and staff who achieved this record-breaking graduation percentage. It truly is a team of teams effort that begins in pre-kindergarten and lasts until the final graduate crosses the stage.
Arts
The holiday season showcased our students’ incredible talent through various artistic performances. From choir concerts to band recitals and theatrical productions, our schools were alive with creativity and community spirit. These events wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our educators and students, and we’re so proud of the joy and connection these performances brought to our community.
Athletics
Our student-athletes continue to make us proud with their accomplishments in competition and the classroom. Recognizing the academic achievements of our fall sports athletes at the December school board meeting was a highlight of the semester. Many of these students maintain GPAs above 4.0 while excelling in their sports, demonstrating an impressive balance of discipline and dedication. The life lessons they gain through athletics, including teamwork and perseverance, will undoubtedly serve them well in the future.
Thank you for being an essential part of Bay District Schools. With your support, we’re building brighter futures for every student as we continue our mission to put the “A” back in Bay.
