Erik Swanson, Superintendent, Folsom Cordova Unified School District

As another school year comes to a close, those of us fortunate enough to work in education tend to get a little emotional this time of year. We watch students walk across stages, hug teachers, celebrate milestones, and take the next step in their journey. We watch kindergarteners become readers, middle schoolers become leaders, and seniors become graduates ready to chase their dreams. And somewhere in all of that excitement and celebration, we inevitably find ourselves asking the same question every year: “Where did the time go?”

This year in Folsom Cordova Unified School District was one worth celebrating. Not because everything was perfect, but because our students, staff, families, and community continued showing up for one another in ways that make me incredibly proud to serve this district. There is something special happening in FCUSD, and you can feel it when you walk onto our campuses, attend our events, sit in our classrooms, or simply watch our students interact with one another. There is energy. There is pride. There is hope.

One of the things I am most proud of this year is the continued growth of positive school culture across our district. In October, 33 FCUSD schools received statewide recognition for their work implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). While recognition is always appreciated, what matters most is what it represents: schools where students feel safe, connected, supported, and seen. That matters deeply. Students learn best when they know they belong, and our staff continues to work tirelessly to create environments where every child feels valued and cared for.

This year also brought statewide recognition for our work around attendance. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond selected Williamson Elementary as the launch site for the California Attendance Guide, highlighting FCUSD as a model district for reducing chronic absenteeism. Through intentional systems, personal outreach, and a relentless commitment to students and families, we reduced chronic absenteeism from 23.5% to 14.5% over the past three years. Behind those numbers are thousands of conversations, home visits, phone calls, and relationships built with families. More importantly, behind those numbers are students who are back in classrooms, connected to peers, building confidence, and finding success.

Of course, no year in FCUSD would be complete without incredible accomplishments from our students both inside and outside the classroom. Cordova High School students demonstrated innovation and creativity on a national stage through the school’s nationally recognized InvenTeam project supported by Lemelson-MIT, where students developed real-world engineering solutions to address storm drain pollution in the Rancho Cordova community. Their work earned recognition from the City of Rancho Cordova, the California State Assembly, and the United States Congress. Whether in athletics, academics, engineering, arts, activities, or service, our students continue to demonstrate that excellence takes many forms across FCUSD. Watching them pursue their passions, overcome challenges, and achieve at high levels continues to be one of the greatest joys of serving this district.

This year was also about preparing for the future. In December, our Board of Education approved the district’s Facilities Comprehensive Plan, helping establish a long-term vision for modernizing schools, improving safety, expanding opportunities, and preparing for future growth across Rancho Cordova. This work is bigger than buildings. It is about creating spaces where students can dream bigger, explore new opportunities, and feel pride in their schools and community. From STEAM labs and performing arts spaces to career technical education facilities and future campuses, we are building environments that reflect the greatness of our students.

What makes all of this possible are partnerships. FCUSD continues to benefit from incredible collaborations with local organizations, colleges, businesses, cities, and community leaders who believe deeply in our students. Whether it’s dual enrollment opportunities with Folsom Lake College, career readiness supports through the Folsom Cordova Community Partnership, hands-on learning opportunities through Soil Born Farms, or the countless ways our cities continue to support schools, these partnerships are helping create real opportunities and brighter futures for students. We are better together, and this community continues to prove that every single day.

And finally, I want to thank our families, staff, and community members. Public education is a team sport, and our district is stronger because of the people who continue to pour their time, energy, love, and support into our schools. Thank you to the parents and grandparents who ensured students arrived at school each morning.  Thank you to the teachers, classified staff, administrators, and support teams who gave their all to students this year. Thank you to the volunteers, coaches, PTA members, community partners, and advocates who continue to believe in our schools. And thank you to our students, who inspire us daily with their resilience, creativity, kindness, and potential.

As we head into summer and begin preparing for another school year, I can honestly say this: the future of FCUSD is incredibly bright. We still have important work ahead of us, and we will continue striving to get 1% better every single day. But this year reminded me of something important, when a community believes in its students and works together in service of kids, extraordinary things happen.