A New Year, A New Chapter for Fayette County Schools
I love so many things in life — traveling with loved ones, experiencing new things, seeing others succeed, gummy candy (probably way too much), new beginnings, and opportunities to reflect, just to name a few.
It’s because of the latter two reasons that I love birthdays. I love celebrating other people’s milestones, hunting down the perfect gift (even when delivered late, which happens far too often), and sharing a meal. Selfishly, I also love my own!
One of the main reasons I love my birthday is that it represents a new beginning. I love new beginnings! I think of the dew on the grass of a new day, the cry of a baby that comes with new life, and the vows taken on a wedding day at the start of a new marriage. New beginnings provide a chance to start fresh with hope for incredible new adventures, opportunities, and accomplishments to come. And, they provide a window through which to look back at what has come before with humble reflection. It represents letting go of the mistakes I’ve made and showing gratitude for those things that have blessed me immensely.
And, let’s be honest: We all are in need of new beginnings.
The turning of the calendar can bring the very same opportunities that a birthday brings. And, as we welcome in 2025, I can’t help but be filled with excitement, hope, and a deep sense of gratitude for the amazing students, dedicated staff, and supportive families that make up the Spartan Family. While January 1st could be just another day on the calendar, it also represents a new beginning for those at the Fayette County School Corporation as we begin a new semester of work toward better futures.
At FCSC, we pride ourselves in being a community of learners and leaders, united in our mission to empower every student to press into their individual path to purpose in life. Over the past year, we have accomplished so much together, from academic achievements and athletic victories to the completion of important facility improvements and the expansion of innovative programs. These milestones reflect the dedication and passion of our entire school community. But, there is so much still to be done.
As we step into this new year, I’d like to share a few of our key priorities and goals:
1. Elevating Student Achievement
Providing a high-quality education remains our top priority. We continue to keep a pulse on formative assessment and other data to ensure that our students are growing. In 2025, we will continue to focus on personalized learning experiences, robust career and technical education pathways, and expanding opportunities for advanced coursework and dual credit programs. Every student deserves the tools and support to achieve their dreams, and we are committed to making that happen.
2. Building Durable Skills
Recent data released by the Indiana Business Research Center, Fayette County had the second highest rate of unemployment in the state of Indiana as reported in November, 2024. While we could point to a lack of high-demand, high-wage jobs, it is probably also fair to have discussions about workforce readiness, building employability skills in our students, and fostering durable skills to last a lifetime. Our schools have the duty and responsibility, in partnership with our families and industry partners, to make this happen. I look forward to building systems of support to cultivate necessary skills such as communication, collaboration, and work ethic in our students so that they can be prepared for jobs that do not yet exist in our world.
3. Strengthening Community Connections
Our schools are the heart of Fayette County, and we value the strong partnerships we share with families, businesses, and community organizations. In 2025, we look forward to expanding these partnerships, blurring the lines between the community and the Corporation for the betterment of our students. Ultimately, if our schools are successful, so then will our community. Together, we can accomplish great things for our students.
4. Investing in Our Future
Thanks to the ongoing support of our community, we will continue to make improvements to our school facilities. We are currently in the midst of several building projects including work to improve the physical classroom and common spaces at Frazee Elementary School, replacing aging and dangerous bleachers at our track and football field, and putting the finishing touches on a new varsity baseball diamond. Soon, we will also start a pool project to improve both infrastructure and aesthetics of our CHS pool. These investments ensure that our students and staff have access to modern, safe, and inspiring spaces to learn and grow.
As we move forward, I encourage every member of our school community to stay engaged and involved. Whether it’s attending parent-teacher conferences, cheering on a Spartan athletic team, volunteering in the classroom, or simply sharing words of encouragement, your involvement makes a difference. We all have a role to play in building up the great work that is happening within our classrooms. We thank you for taking a positive, supportive role in the education of our children.
To our students, I want you to know that we believe in you. You have the power to achieve incredible things, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
To our staff, thank you for your unwavering dedication and hard work in doing what is best for our students — you are the backbone of FCSC.
And, to our families and community members, thank you for your trust and partnership as we work together to build brighter futures for our students and community. It is a privilege and honor to be your Superintendent.
Here’s to a year filled with opportunity, growth, and success. Let’s make it our best year yet!
Jeremy Duncan, FCSC Superintendent