OUT WITH THE OLD and in with the new came just a little early for the Rome and Floyd County school systems, but the same reasoning as with marking a New Year should apply: Be it resolved that improvements will be made.

The Floyd County Board of Education elevated David Johnson, the vice chair, to its top leadership slot and named Terry Williamson as the new vice chair. Also this week, the Rome Board of Education named Cheryl Huffman as its new leader — after 15-year chairperson Judy Sims turned over the reins — and made Faith Collins the vice chair.

Both systems are also going to be administered by new superintendents — Jeff McDaniel for the county and Jeff Bearden for Rome.

That means, across the board, the top leaders of both systems will be new, although for the most part familiar, faces. They take charge of highly successful school systems whose students consistently score well (and particularly so for Georgia) and that routinely have been willing to tackle new concepts, ideas, approaches.

That is a “tradition” all those assuming new and greater responsibilities are encouraged to continue and extend.

Just as the coming new year opens the door to a better future, so should every new school year, board and superintendent offer a brighter future to this community’s young people.