As we draw closer to the end of our school year, it is an optimal time to share some highlights from our districts’ 4-year strategic plan…which was adopted in the 2022-2023 school year. As this is a multi-year initiative, it would benefit us to take a look at where we started, where we currently stand and next steps moving forward.
History of Strategic Plan
A number of stakeholders, including the superintendent, board members and administrative staff came together in 2022-2023 to create the strategic plan we are working from today. They framed the mission, vision, values and initiatives to provide a central focus for our actions and help us reach the desired outcome: the growth of the whole student and maximizing individual student success. While the board adopted a plan that includes the mission, vision, initiatives and core values, they left the “action steps” to the districts’ administrative staff and internal stakeholders. These actions are the “how” we support each of our strategic initiatives for the district. The action steps may look different in each building, but will all work to support the strategic initiatives which include:
Provide a physically and emotionally safe educational climate for all.
Develop each student’s skills for personal and academic growth to each student’s fullest potential.
Support innovation and professional development to promote the growth of the whole student.
Enhance parent and community involvement through consistent and effective communication strategies.
So, what does our progress look like this year- toward meeting these initiatives?
Moving the Needle
We’ve made significant progress addressing the action steps assigned to each of our initiatives, and have completed a couple ahead of schedule. Please take a look at a few of our successes listed below.
Provide a physically and emotionally safe educational climate for all.
Woodmore LSD was awarded a $300,000.00 grant to upgrade security features in all buildings.
Shift Consulting is conducting a feasibility study for Woodmore to gauge potential donor interest/support for an athletics project.
Develop each student’s skills for personal and academic growth to each student’s fullest potential.
HS received Project Lead the Way Grant award to fund the implementation of two STEM courses in 2023-2024.
Response to Intervention Teams (RTI) established to address students' individual emotional and academic needs. The team reviews and monitors interventions to ensure student growth and academic success.
Support innovation and professional development to promote the growth of the whole student.
Professional growth opportunities offered to varying classifications; paraprofessionals on student growth measures, Crisis Prevention Training planned for classified staff in 2023-2024.
Certified Staff Training in DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) conducted by Jennifer Tomlin with Scott Scriven Attorney Firm.
Enhance parent and community involvement through consistent and effective communication strategies.
Community Newsletter (Woodmore Nation Newsletter) redesigned and presented in electronic format in order to accommodate more photos, updates, and information regarding district activities.
Streamlining one-call, emergency communications to enable specific group messages.
Updating our District Website: We will be using Apptegy in 2023-2024, a mobile friendly, ADA compliant platform.
For a complete list of strategic goals please visit this document, which is also available on our district webpage.
Next Steps: Monitor and Adjust
In the middle of the school year we distributed a strategic planning survey to our internal and external stakeholders. We asked for their impressions of our strengths and weaknesses relative to our objectives/values. The stakeholders from both groups overwhelmingly agreed they’ve had a positive experience with Woodmore Local Schools and would recommend it to others. They also felt they understood and/or were engaged with the vision of Woodmore schools. For our core values they indicated:
Strengths Include:
Openness and Relationships
Weaknesses Include:
Accountability and Respect
Our next steps are to review and update our current strategic plan and goals based on survey data. I have invited representatives from each of our classifications to participate in this review process. It is important to me to have all district team members around the table because it supports our district’s desired outcome:
All Woodmore Local Schools Staff are responsible for the growth of the whole student and maximizing individual student success.
I would like to conclude with a heartfelt “thank you” to our staff, parents, community members, and board members who have committed time and effort to this project…completing surveys, engaging with students, planning initiatives and monitoring our progress. I’m so grateful for your dedication to our district and the success of our students!