Stan Jefferson receives warm reception from staff members at MCS convocation

MANSFIELD - Stan Jefferson's not playing around.

The new superintendent for Mansfield City Schools delivered a fiery speech to staff members at Tuesday's convocation before introducing keynote speaker Jim Tressel.

School starts next week in the district.

"There's no five-year plan," Jefferson said. "We're going now. We don't have time to wait."

Staff members entered the high school auditorium listening to "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor on repeat. Jefferson got a standing ovation before he even uttered a word.

"The question for each of you: What is your educational blueprint for the 2019-2020 school year?" he asked. 

Jefferson offered two examples of how to write that blueprint.

The first is leading with hope.

"Hope is the secret sauce of effective leadership," Jefferson said. "If you want to make a change, the only way it happens is when you inspire hope in others."

His second example is leading toward the future.

"You're asking the question: Where are we going?" Jefferson said. "We must have a clear destination of where we are traveling. We don't have time to waste gas."

The new superintendent said his No. 1 goal is to continue academic achievement and growth, saying academics will be the turnaround for the district.

"We must have a conducive learning environment," Jefferson said. "No more will we have a non-conducive learning environment. No longer will we have an environment that does not have warmth for growth."

Jefferson said the district must build engagement with its students, staff and "most importantly, our school community and our partners."

Jefferson earned some of his loudest applause by telling staff members they could expect a "cool breeze" when classes start next week.

Last year, the district had to use three calamity days because of intense heat in some of the older buildings.

District spokesman Larry Gibbs said there will be window air-conditioners in each classroom at Prospect, Sherman and Springmill schools.

Woodland and the Spanish Immersion schools will have a portable cooling unit in each classroom.

Jefferson also emphasized the district must do what it says it will do.

Each staff member received a T-shirt before Tuesday's convocation. The shirts featured the district's new hashtag, #HearOurRoar. Jefferson said it would be a rallying point.

Tressel predicted Jefferson would meet the challenges of his new post.

"He is so excited to be back home, so excited to serve," Tressel said. "The school board is excited. There's a glow. It's exciting to see."

Other back-to-school news:

More:'Boohoo-Yippee': Parents lament or celebrate first day of school

More:Richland Public Health urges drivers to use caution near schools, buses

More:Jefferson meets with the public; Forney returns to school board

mcaudill@gannett.com

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Twitter: @MNJCaudill