One of the best indications that this is going to be a good school year for area students is the commitment that the teachers and principals of the regions schools have for their jobs. Such is the case with Shawn Holland, the new principal at Rich Pond Elementary School. Holland tried other jobs such as digging ditches and installing water lines. While the money was good, he said he wasnt satisfied and decided he wanted to be an educator. After leaving his job at the Wilson Plant in Ohio County, Holland enrolled at Western Kentucky University in 1988 and has been in education ever since. The Daily News recent series on new principals in Warren County schools revealed that they all, like Holland, see education as a calling and not just a job. This is a sure indication that the future of the area students is in good hands. While legislative efforts such as the Kentucky Education Reform Act play an important role in improving Kentucky schools, without the right people to lead, such endeavors would be in vain. Like Jim Tinnius, the new principal at Potter Gray Elementary School said, It gets in your blood. In the series, its obvious that whether the new principals are new to the area like Ed Kelliher, who was called from a Vermont public school to Bowling Green Christian Academy or Penny Masden, a 30-year resident of the city who is the new principal at Bowling Green Junior High School, their commitment to education is worth noting. Most of the new principals said being a visible presence in the classrooms and halls of their schools is important. The days of principals of successful schools sitting behind their desks as intimidating authority figures are gone. Schools successful in testing and achievement have administrators who are visible, communicating with students, parents and teachers and who demonstrate a desire to see the students in their charge achieve their potential. Speaking of parents, its good to see that administrators like Kory Twyman, the new principal at Richardsville Elementary School, expressing appreciation for the involvement of parents in their childrens education. In days past, some administrators and teachers tended to see parents desire to be involved as interference in the teaching process. Its no coincidence, however, that the more involved parents are through site-based decision making councils and other avenues, the stronger the schools and the greater the chance for success.While there are many new leaders taking the reigns of area schools this year, their experience and passion for their students is a quality found in all of them. It means the community can look forward to continuing the quality education that we have become accustomed to in Warren County.