July 2025

Jonathan Alder Students and Families,

I hope you are finding time this summer to invest in family time, recharge, and fill your “enjoyment cups.” This season is a gift to step back, rest, and reconnect before the excitement of a new school year arrives.

As I reflect on the past year, I am incredibly impressed and proud of what we have accomplished together, especially in the areas of teaching and learning across the entire district. Through countless team & curriculum meetings, building leadership meetings, district leadership meetings, educational visioning sessions, community advisory groups, and significant instructional work in every building, it has truly been a full, meaningful, and purposeful year of collaboration.

In every conversation and strategy session, one common theme kept emerging: “Value the Past. Invest in Today. Elevate the Future.”

This mindset has helped guide us to a new District Purpose Statement: “Our purpose is to elevate our community by investing in students, families, and staff members. We serve, grow, and support each person in Jonathan Alder Local Schools with a deep belief in the value of every life and the potential for every individual to contribute to the betterment of our future.”

As we look ahead, this purpose will align with every decision we make, including as the district prepares to return to the community and voters on the November 4, 2025 ballot for a bond issue to advance our facility plan. This plan remains true to the objective we have shared with you: “Develop a Master Facilities Plan that aligns to our purpose all while preparing the district for the projected enrollment over the next 10 and 20 years, and extends the time before returning to the community and voters for additional funding for school buildings.” All of the details, facts, bond implications, plans, and presentations are available at ElevateAlder.com.

I am grateful for each of you and the roles you play in making Jonathan Alder a place where we all grow and thrive. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our students and community.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the year ahead.

As always, we are here to serve. We remain focused on Valuing the Past, Investing in Today, and Elevating the Future.  With your continued partnership, we will never stop Elevating Alder.

In Gratitude,

James Miller Ed.D. 
Superintendent
Jonathan Alder Local Schools

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