One of my priorities coming into Hoosic Valley has been to listen before making decisions. Over the summer, I have had the opportunity to meet with members of our Board of Education, administrators, central office staff, union leadership, and our year-round employees. I also invited our instructional staff to meet with me individually or in small groups, and I have been grateful that several have taken me up on that invitation. These conversations have been some of the most valuable parts of my summer. They have allowed me to hear different perspectives, learn about the experiences of our staff, and begin to better understand the strengths, challenges, traditions, and opportunities that make Hoosic Valley unique.

I have also been spending time in our schools and facilities and learning about the many systems that keep our district moving every day. I have been working to better understand our budget and finances, transportation, staffing, scheduling, facilities, safety, compliance, and the work that goes into preparing our schools for the return of students and staff. At the same time, I have been reviewing our current goals, student achievement and accountability information, attendance and enrollment trends, programs, and opportunities available to our students.

There is a tremendous amount to learn when joining a new school district, and I believe it is important to understand where we are before determining where we need to go. I am not coming into Hoosic Valley with a predetermined list of changes. Instead, I am taking the time to listen, learn, and understand. I believe the best decisions come from a combination of good information, thoughtful discussion, and the voices of the people who are closest to the work.

That is why I am asking you to participate in our entry survey. I would like to hear from our staff, families, and community members about what you believe we do well, where you see opportunities for growth, and what you believe should be important as we look toward the future. Your feedback will help me identify common themes and areas that deserve further conversation as I continue learning about our district.

The listening will not stop when summer ends. Once school is underway, I look forward to expanding these conversations to include our students, staff, families, and community partners. I also plan to host Coffee & Conversation with the Superintendent this fall. These gatherings will be an informal opportunity to meet, talk, ask questions, share ideas, and get to know one another. More information about dates and locations will be shared soon, and I sincerely hope you will join me.

As I think about the year ahead, I keep coming back to three things that I believe are important for our district: building trust and stability, maintaining high expectations while providing the support people need to be successful, and being thoughtful and disciplined about how we measure our progress. We have many good things happening in Hoosic Valley, and I want to build upon those strengths. Where there are challenges, we will work together to understand them and determine how best to address them. Most importantly, I want us to remain focused on what matters most—providing our students with the opportunities, support, and experiences they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

I have been very appreciative of the warm welcome I have received during my first weeks in Hoosic Valley. I am excited to get to know more of you and to become a part of this community. I know that strong schools are built through strong partnerships, and I look forward to working alongside our students, staff, families, Board of Education, and community as we begin this next chapter together.

Thank you for welcoming me to Hoosic Valley. I am honored to serve as your Superintendent, and I look forward to listening, learning, and working together.

Warmly,

Michelle Gabree-Huba
Superintendent
Hoosic Valley Central School District

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