Advertisement The annual address is among her favorite tasks as school board president, she told a full house Thursday morning at the district’s Welcome Back Program at Central High School’s auditorium.
But this year was different, she said. The right words were hard to find.
With the La Crosse School Board still wrestling with what to do with its aging buildings and their needs, she said inspiration didn’t come until she spied her husband’s Apollo 13 hat early that morning.
“Failure is not an option,” she said. “We’re tenacious. We’re going to try again and again and again.”
She explained how an operating referendum voters approved in April will help and how the board is now looking at a “compromise” building referendum it might put to voters Nov. 4.
“We will decide in the next three weeks if we’re going to take it to the public,” Clair said.
And then she put the referendum discussion aside and was able to talk about her true passion and that of the board — policies and visions for the school district.
Clair mentioned high school academies, expanding the international curriculum to the middle schools and successful partnerships with area businesses.
“Keep up the good work ...,” Clair said. “The board will do every thing we can to support your work.”
Prior to Clair’s address, staff enjoyed the acappela sounds of 25 La Crosse School District teachers and administrators. They met six times this summer to rehearse their show, which included the Beach Boys’ “Be True to Your School” and The Del-Vikings’ “Come Go with Me.”
Superintendent Jerry Kember said the musical showcase, appropriately titled “La Crosse’s Got Talent,” was designed to make sure employees had a good, exciting opening to the new school year.
Also performing at the program were other teacher musicians, Central’s dance team, Logan High School student Vanessa Blackwell and University of Wisconsin-
La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow.
To get a look at the show, check out the video at www.lacrossetribune.com.
