Germantown School District Superintendent Chris Rudder used the inaugural GTOWN Life video podcast to highlight curriculum work, fiscal progress and plans to deepen community partnerships and staff engagement.

Rudder said the district completed a multi-year curriculum review and piloting process that led to a consistent elementary reading program. “When I got here, every building did something a little different, even classrooms within buildings and went through a robust curriculum review process, spent a lot of time piloting, use both qualitative and quantitative measures,” Rudder said. He added that the district “landed with the wonders curriculum at the elementary level” and that stakeholders had reported growth “on paper when it comes to numbers.”

On the financial side, Rudder said the district is on pace to pay off referendum debt “way in advance, almost 6 years in advance.” He said district leaders have completed a comprehensive facility study and an outside enrollment and growth study to allow planning over a 30-year horizon rather than a shorter term.

Rudder described four strategic goals that will guide work over the next year: student learning and growth, human capital and employee resources, community engagement, and fiscal responsibility. He said the district is placing an emphasis on growth for students at all levels and on retaining staff across employee groups, including teachers, support staff, custodial and food service employees.

“We not only employ teachers… we have custodial and maintenance to make sure the lights are on, the rooms are clean, things are fixed and repaired in a timely manner,” Rudder said, adding the district will hold listening sessions and school visits to better understand day-to-day experiences across roles. Rudder said he and Dr. Castro, the district’s new human resources director, plan to visit each building quarterly and meet with employee groups.

Rudder also described expanding career-focused programming and business partnerships. He said more than 100 students currently participate in youth apprenticeship, dual-enrollment or workplace experience programs and noted his own involvement with the local Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis as conduits to business partners.

The episode was recorded at County Line Elementary, where Rudder said he was temporarily supporting the building after Principal Kelly Schultz was injured. Justin Marion, the district’s marketing communications manager and the podcast host, framed the episode as part of a broader effort to “share the heartbeat of our Germantown School District” and to spotlight student and staff achievements.

Rudder said improving communication about district decisions and use of taxpayer funds is a priority. He pointed listeners seeking more financial detail to the district’s annual meeting and finance committee meetings. “We can always do better at communicating… how do we use utilize that, taxpayer money that they entrust in us and be stewards of that money,” he said.

In a brief personal segment, Rudder credited a high school counselor and an early superintendent as influences who steered him toward education and reflected on wanting Germantown to be known within five years as a “premier district” recognized statewide for inspiring student success.

The podcast closes with Rudder urging families to remain engaged as advocates and with the host announcing future GTOWN Life episodes that will highlight schools, programs and district initiatives.