When I was a kid, I hated “Back-to-School” ads. I didn’t want to see children jumping on a trampoline wearing new jeans. Or giddy teenagers climbing onto the school bus with the latest backpack fashions.

It’s the time of year when we have to see all those commercials again.

If you are new to Fayette County, we want to welcome you. I think you’ll soon find that this is a great place to live and raise a family. But, we’re serious about some things that other places only pretend to care about.

Like school residency requirements. We have to be sure that only students who actually live in this county attend the public schools. If we didn’t, hundreds of families from other counties would enroll their children. At a cost of over $3500 per year per student (plus the money paid by the state and federal governments), we can’t afford to ignore this issue.

So, if you live here, please excuse the minor inconvenience of showing the school officials proof of residence. And, if the children attending our schools don’t live here, don’t swear on an affidavit that they do. We prosecute that offense in Fayette County.

Another matter we take seriously is our policy against drug possession at school functions. Our citizens have worked hard to be able to live here and educate their children in the very best schools. We won’t tolerate drugs. The police don’t have to see violators; our parents and students report them. I know that other places claim to prosecute drug violators. We’re not bluffing. Finally, our children are in school to learn and to excel. We will protect them at all costs. We prosecute street gang activity vigorously. We search for weapons. We arrest anyone who poses a threat to the safety of the students and educators.

So, kids, put on the New Balance shoes and jump in unison. Juggle the composition books as you skateboard up to the schoolhouse door. Nah, that’s Hollywood stuff. I still hate those commercials. Just have clean fun, work hard, choose your friends wisely, and make us proud.