Superintendent

As we begin a new school year, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for our students. But before we look forward, I believe it’s important to first look back.

Last year, we experienced three separate weather events that disrupted the school year for our students.  Specifically, Hurricane Helene significantly impacted our entire community, but at the same time, brought us closer together. The effects from Helene proved to be a once-in-a-lifetime event that left an indelible mark on Jeff Davis County that will not be soon forgotten.

And yet, during this time of hardship and loss, I witnessed the very best of our community. Neighbors supported one another and put others' needs before their own. Within our district, I saw staff members feeding students, organizing clothing drives, and distributing essential supplies to both students and community members. Last year was a powerful reminder of what makes Jeff Davis County so special and I am proud to be a part of it.

Looking ahead, we continue to focus on how we can best serve our students. Construction is well underway on our new primary school, which will include Pre-K and is projected to open for the 2026–2027 school year. Additionally, we are completing renovations to the auxiliary gym at the high school due to damage from Hurricane Helene and beginning construction on the new tennis fieldhouse. These projects, along with last year’s completion of the Multipurpose Ag Center, represent a significant investment in our students and our community. More importantly, they reflect our ongoing commitment to educating the whole child.

While these new facilities are exciting, our dedication to students goes far beyond bricks and mortar. The loss of more than a month of instructional time last year challenged both students and staff, but I’m proud to share that many of our grade levels still saw gains on the Milestone assessments! This summer, our leadership team worked diligently to continue our improvement by identifying areas of strength, pinpoint areas for growth, and address barriers to progress.

As we move forward, we remain committed to evaluating our practices and raising expectations, putting both students and staff in the best possible position to succeed. Our vision remains the same: a relentless pursuit of excellence as we prepare students for life.

We know that education is a shared responsibility, and we are deeply grateful for the continued support of our parents, guardians, business leaders, and community members. These partnerships help create the foundation for student success. When we work together, the possibilities for our students are limitless. When our students succeed, they gain hope and that hope becomes the future of our community.

I encourage each of you to help us become better tomorrow than we are today. In our district, we believe in continuous growth and improvement. This mindset reminds us that growth is a choice—and when we choose to grow, everyone around us benefits. I look forward to partnering with you as we work together to make our students, and our community, the very best they can be.

And as always… GO JACKETS!

Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Roppe
Superintendent