The session began with a review of the district’s mission statement, emphasizing the commitment to serving “every child, every day.” The strategic planning process was described as a proactive measure.

In small groups, attendees brainstormed initiatives they hoped to see in the next five years that would position the district on the cover of Time Magazine as a model for successful schools. These discussions were not about solving specific problems but rather defining desired outcomes for the district.

Following the brainstorming activity, participants posted their ideas on large Post-it notes and engaged in a gallery walk to identify common themes. The facilitator then guided the group to distill these themes into broad goal areas. While specific details on what was agreed upon were not provided, it was noted that typical goal areas include student learning or success, finance and facilities, district operations, and community engagement. The facilitator also mentioned that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) resonated as an important focus for the community and would be included in the planning.

The next steps in the strategic planning process will involve further refining these goal areas and developing strategies and objectives. The administrative team, led by Superintendent Mark Daniels, will then translate these into actionable plans, with a comprehensive strategy expected to be presented to the Board in the coming months.