Page 4 - The EDGE Summer 2025

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

BY FRANCIE WOLFE-BAUMANN
Beginning, Again – Focus on What Lies Ahead

Francie Wolfe-Baumann
As I write this, it's the summer solstice, which retirements, new positions, and new districts. Each
is the longest day of the year in the Northern with their own beginning. Even those staying in
Hemisphere. Per Arizona PBS, the word solstice familiar roles will support colleagues as they
comes from the Latin words sol for sun, and stitium, navigate these beginnings.
which can mean pause or stop. On the solstice, the
sun pauses on its path across the sky. To some, this Soon we will all be at the beginning of a new school
also represents a time for renewal and growth to be year. I encourage you to think about the excitement
celebrated. and anticipation with a touch of nervousness our
students feel at the beginning of the year. Reflect on
I feel fortunate to be spending this solstice enjoying how you felt at the start of one of your own school
an overcast day along the Clark Fork River in years. If that was too long ago, perhaps go witness
Missoula, Montana. I have never been to Montana the experience of your students as a reminder.
before. Being this far north means today the
daylight stretches on with sunset around 9:30pm. I We are lucky. Working with school districts means
am here for the wedding of my longtime neighbor's/ that school business officials and vendors have the
friend's daughter. Between the solstice and the chance to help shape a new beginning. No matter
wedding, I find myself thinking about beginnings. what challenges we have faced, we get to support
There is something powerful about the anticipation our districts and our students as they embark on
and excitement of a beginning. They ask us to face a beginning. That is not something that every
the unknown with courage and strength while they profession can offer, and it puts us in a unique
remind us to celebrate what is to come. position that is worth appreciating.

There are so many moments in our lives that provide Of course, every beginning follows an ending. As
a beginning. Some are monumental, like marriage, I look ahead to the end of my term as the AASBO
the birth of a child, a new job, or a big move. President, I find myself deeply grateful for this
Others may feel routine, like the start of a new day. community. While this beginning is bittersweet, I
Yet all of them carry an opportunity for renewal believe that the most productive path forward is to
and growth. Right now, AASBO is stepping into focus on what lies ahead rather than one that keeps
a new beginning of its own. In July, we welcome looking in the rearview mirror.
the official start of a new Executive Director, a
new President, and several new board members. I I hope the beginning of this school year brings
am proud of the work we have done together and you strength, excitement, and the renewed sense
excited to see where this new leadership takes us. of purpose as you serve your teams, districts,
students, and communities. Enjoy the excitement
This is also a season of movement in the school at the beginning and don't worry, a new beginning
business community. Many of you are celebrating is never far away.

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4 THE EDGE SUMMER 2025