Opening Bell: Superintendent Porter Says Day 1 Went Well

Superintendent Mark Porter was up early on Tuesday, the first day of school for District 833.

He brought treats for drivers at the South Washington County Schools transportation department, where buses were getting ready to pick up students for . (The school system operates its own fleet and owns most of the buses.)

The visit to the transportation department has become a bit of a ritual for Porter since he took over as the district’s top administrator three years ago.

“It’s a little appreciation for the great job they do,” Porter said.

District administrators visited buildings across South Washington County Schools, and Porter checked out three schools—always entering at the loading bay, where he was able to greet janitors and behind-the-scenes staffers.

During the school visits, Porter said he tries to get a sense of how things are going. “Basically, you step aside and stay out of the way.”

A little before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Porter said he hadn’t heard much about the first day of school—and that’s a good thing.

“From a superintendent’s perspective, the less you hear on the first day of school, the better,” he said.

Each year is “unique and exciting” in its own way, Porter said, and he hopes that continues as the year moves along.

“We’re off to a great start,” he said.

“You can’t help but be impressed with the upbeat attitude everyone had.”