Year In Review: Summit Superintendent Reflects On 2022

SUMMIT, NJ — As 2022 comes to a close, Summit Superintendent Scott Hough reflected on the school district's accomplishments in the past year and shared his hopes for 2023.

From transitioning back to in-person learning after the height of the pandemic to investing in STEAM Innovation labs at the elementary schools, the past year was a busy time for Summit Public Schools.

Here are the top three things that Superintendent Hough said he is most proud of accomplishing this year:

1. In the beginning of 2022, we were faced with challenges from the Omicron variant. However, our school community continued to put students first and our dedicated staff members maintained a full offering of in-person instruction, co-curricular opportunities, and athletic programs.

2. Developing a vision for a K-12 STEAM initiative and partnering with the Summit Educational Foundation to implement Innovation labs at all elementary schools.

3. I am proud of all of the teachers, supervisors, principals, and administrators who put hours of time and energy into developing a Planned Bond Issuance that revolved around enhancing STEAM educational opportunities for our students. That hard work and passion led to the approval from the Board of Education, Board of School Estimate, and Summit Common Council to improve facilities and programs; including new spaces at the High School and Middle School for innovative STEAM programs.

Here's three things Hough hopes to accomplish in 2023:

1. Now that the bond has been approved by the Summit Common Council, we hope to begin construction on new spaces including upgrades to the High School Library Media Center, Middle School Cafeteria and new instructional spaces, and Andersen Field House at Tatlock.

2. Continue to work with teachers, supervisors, and principals to develop new courses for the High School and Middle School in the areas of robotics, computer science, and the Performing Arts.

3. We hope to continue and enhance professional development for teachers that revolve around improving data-driven instruction to ensure all students excel and achieve academically.

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