by Melissa McPherson

As he prepares to lead Stockbridge Community Schools into the new school year, incoming superintendent Jeffrey Trapp says his top priority is keeping student learning at the center of every decision while strengthening relationships with students, staff and families.

Formerly principal of Stockbridge Jr./Sr. High School, Trapp began his new role as school superintendent on July 1. When asked about his plans and goals for the upcoming year and beyond, he said he has four goals: Lead the learning, increase student engagement and involvement, build a sense of community trust through improved communication, and focus on recruitment and retention of staff and students.

Over the past year, the district has made significant progress in areas such as attendance and behavior, so Trapp’s first goal will require a shift of focus, making learning the top priority.

“My mindset is leading the learning,” he said. “I’m the lead learner, and I want our administrators to be leading the learning in their buildings and our teachers to be leading the learning in their classrooms.”

In order to achieve this, the district will review student achievement data to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This includes regularly analyzing academic performance throughout the year, using data to guide instruction and determine how best to support students who need additional help while challenging those who are already succeeding.

“We want to continue moving our student proficiency in the right direction,” Trapp said.

Alongside academics, this new superintendent hopes to increase student engagement and involvement by building a stronger sense of belonging throughout the district. Stockbridge Community Schools’ familiar slogan, “We Want You Here,” will remain important, but he wants to ensure those words are not just about being physically present. He wants those words to also translate into meaningful experiences for students.

“What does it really mean for a student to feel like they belong at school?” he asked. The answer to that question will hopefully result in more students taking pride in being Stockbridge Panthers, not only in athletics and other extracurricular activities, but also in academic proficiency.

Trapp said district leaders are in the midst of planning several events during the opening weeks of school. These are designed to strengthen student engagement and school culture, although details have not yet been finalized.

Creating a strong learning environment isn’t just about the students and staff, however. Trapp hopes to extend this feeling of belonging and involvement to parents, caregivers, and the community as a whole. He wants to foster a sense of trust by improving communication. He plans to evaluate how effectively the district communicates by gathering feedback from families and measuring how information is being received.

“I want there always to be a ‘why’ behind the decisions we’re making, and for everyone to clearly understand what that ‘why’ is,” he explained.

Another priority will be recruiting and retaining students and staff. Like many Michigan districts, Stockbridge has experienced declining enrollment. While statewide demographic trends play a role, he also acknowledged that community perceptions can influence families’ decisions on where they send their children to school.

Recently there have been some concerns over bullying within the district, and although survey data collected over many years indicates that students’ perceptions of bullying have improved over time, Trapp emphasized that every concern deserves attention.

“If one student feels that way, that’s one student we don’t want to lose,” he said. “We need to reach out, understand what’s happening and work toward a solution.”

Responding to concerns recently raised in a Stockbridge Community News letter to the editor regarding student behavior and support for teachers, Trapp said building trust begins with listening carefully to those involved before making decisions. He said that there will always be decisions not everyone agrees with, and there are likely always reasons behind the scenes that need to be considered.

“I want people to bring their concerns to us,” he said. “Every one of us wants to be seen, valued and heard.” He believes building strong relationships with district employees, students and families is essential to creating a district where people want to remain.

As the new school year approaches, Trapp said his overall vision is straightforward: improve learning, strengthen relationships and ensure every member of the Stockbridge school community feels they belong.

All photos provided by Jeff Trapp.