From the Superintendent

Welcome to Lakota Local Schools! 

July 2026

As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the journey ahead. This year's district theme, "The Road Ahead: Together, We're Going Places,” reflects both where we are today and where we aspire to go as a school community.

The start of every school year represents the start of a new journey: a road filled with opportunities to learn, grow, innovate and achieve. While every journey may include an occasional detour or a few bumps along the way, we know that our greatest successes come when we travel together. At Lakota, every student, every staff member, every family and every community partner plays an important role in helping move our district forward.

This year also marks an exciting milestone as we will begin implementing our new strategic plan. That roadmap will help guide our decisions, align our priorities and keep us focused on what matters most: providing exceptional opportunities and outcomes for every student. Our destination is clear: to continue building a five-star, destination district where students thrive, staff are empowered, families are engaged and our community is proud to call Lakota home.

As we look to the road ahead, we are excited to continue engaging our community in the next chapter of Lakota's future through our Master Facilities Planning process. Alongside the implementation of our new strategic plan, this work will help chart a thoughtful course for our district, aligning our educational vision with learning environments that support students today and for generations to come. Together, these efforts will guide our journey as we continue building a district that reflects the hopes and aspirations of our students, staff, families and community.

The road ahead will require collaboration, innovation, perseverance and a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we will navigate challenges, celebrate milestones and create meaningful experiences that prepare every student for success in school and beyond.

As we embark on this journey, I invite our entire Lakota community to come along for the ride. Whether you are stepping into one of our classrooms for the first time, returning for another year, cheering from the sidelines, volunteering in our schools or partnering with us from the community, you are an essential part of our road trip. Every mile we travel together brings us closer to achieving our shared vision for the future.

Thank you for your continued partnership, trust and support. The road ahead is bright, and I cannot wait to see all the places we will go, together.
 

Dr. Ashley Whitely
Superintendent