This story was written by Lia Salvatierra, our new Education Reporter. Find more of Lia’s reporting here. Do you have an NKY education story? Email lsalvatierra@linknky.com.
Fort Thomas Independent Schools Superintendent Brian Robinson said he sees the district as a mirror that should reflect and benefit all residents.
All taxpayers — regardless of whether they have enrolled children — should feel they’re getting a return on their investment in the district, Robinson said.
“People ask, ‘Who’s your customer,” he said, “and I think that’s a more complicated question.”
Students and families are a given, he said.
But the community is also investing in a future workforce and citizenry that protects Fort Thomas’ quality of life and property values.
“I deeply believe that the quality of your schools creates that reflection of the quality of your community,” he said.
Robinson is a smiley eyed Northern Kentucky native who came to Fort Thomas in 1997 for his first teaching job at Highlands High School, where he later served as assistant principal and principal.
Over the last nearly three decades, he also served in director roles at the College Board and Forest Hills School District in Cincinnati.
He returned to Fort Thomas in 2021, and is now two years into his second contract.
Robinson didn’t always dream of being superintendent, but was sold on education from his first days at Thomas More College, before it became a university.
During his undergraduate years he also coached football and baseball at his K-12 alma mater, Simon Kenton High School, relishing relationships with students.
During his early years teaching, he aimed to bring novelty to the classroom each day.
“There was that creative element of being a teacher that I found to be really exciting,” he said.
He taught history and government, always looking to bring the subjects to life.
“The cool thing about high school students is that they get just about excited as you do,” he said.
He’s proud of having started Highlands winning “We the People” team, which competes in mock congressional hearings.
Robinson’s two sons played baseball, like him, and are now Highland graduates.
When he’s not running a school district, he’s likely watching baseball.
Their family roadtripped west this summer and visited some ballparks along the way.
But Robinson made it back in time for the Fort Thomas 4th of July parade, one of his favorite days of the year, rivaled only by graduation and the district’s opening day.
“I love school, maybe in an unhealthy way,” he said, laughing.
This year he’s focused on drafting a new five-year strategic plan with the board of directors, and continuing to develop the district’s “Portrait of a Graduate” framework, which aims to prepare students for a world beyond Fort Thomas.
“At the end of the day, every parent wants to know where your child’s going to be in 20 years,” Robinson said. “They want to know: Are you happy, healthy, and have the ability to be independent and reach your goals and your dreams?”