What has transpired over the past couple months was not how I’d envisioned my tenure with the Garretson School District to come to an end.
It’s been a trying process for my family and myself and we appreciate the support received from everyone during this time. The only information I will share is that there was an incident involving students in May, which I learned about in August, after law enforcement was already involved.
While obviously unable to delve into any other specifics of the issue, it’s important for me to say that I gave my best effort to this school and community - every day. My family and I will transition into whatever is next, placing no blame and making no excuses.
Throughout this time, it’s been difficult to see the impacts that this situation has had in our community. Realizing that emotions run high at times like this, it’s also important to step back and remember that we still have choices to make.
Choices on how we are going to handle ourselves, how we are going to treat others and how we will model our handling of adversity for others. Adversity is a part of life for everyone. No matter how it is created, it’s something that we face every day.
We’ve often talked to our students and athletes about how to handle it. None of those lessons included spreading rumors or treating others disrespectfully. We have a finite number of opportunities to show our youth how to handle difficult situations. Let’s do the right thing, they deserve it.
I’d also like to take the opportunity to express the great appreciation I have for all the individuals – past and present - that I’ve had the privilege to work with in the Garretson School District for 14 years. Please continue to embrace the fact that you are all influential, impactful, and memorable people in the lives of students. These staff members have done everything that was ever asked of them – and more. They don’t have easy jobs and the work they do is not celebrated enough.
Every year it is more difficult to be a young person in our society which translates to more challenges in the classroom. Thank you all for patience and guidance of our youth - they are our future.
Garretson students past and present - thank you! Thank you for being involved in our school, thank you for being involved in your community. You have participated in city-wide clean ups after storms, concerts, contests, plays, meets, matches and games always representing our school in exemplary fashion. You’ve been mentors to younger students, role models for peers and examples for adults on how to handle things with grace and humility. You’ve allowed our community to experience state tournaments, national conventions or just simple acts of kindness that maybe only impacted one person. All are important and all are memorable. We have all learned something from each one of you and thank you for all you’ve done for myself and my family.
The possibilities and potential for Garretson and the school district are infinite. There are some important decisions for this district that need to be made in the future, but one thing is for certain, the Garretson community needs its school. Please try and separate yourself from your feelings and determine how you can make a positive impact on our school and community moving forward. My family and I wish nothing more than the future success of this school and this community. Thank you for the opportunity to be Blue Dragons.
-The Long Family
