Superintendent’s Corner

With the February break just a few days away, the promise of spring is just around the corner.  As I write this edition of the Superintendent’s Corner, the expected weather for the upcoming 10 days looks to be storm-free and warmer than usual.  As March approaches, I sincerely hope that the extreme cold we saw less than two weeks ago waits another 50 years before revisiting our area.  In the spirit of warmer weather, and as we celebrate Valentine’s Day this week, it only seems fitting to begin this edition of the Superintendent’s Corner with a quote by David Viscott: “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.”  On this Valentine’s Day, I wish you all abundant sunshine. 

 In reference to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, “If you don’t know where you are going any road will take you there” this edition of the Superintendent’s Corner is dedicated to providing an update on the progress the district has made toward the development of a five-year strategic plan.  The district strategic planning process began in 2019 but quickly came to an end when the pandemic struck in early 2020.  The district restarted the strategic planning process in the fall of 2021, with a focus on soliciting input from district stakeholders.  Data collection ensued as the district surveyed staff, parents, and students; held community meetings, attended staff meetings, visited classrooms, and met with students to learn what stakeholders identified as potential priorities to be addressed in the strategic plan.  Unfortunately, the work of the planning committee was halted again in the spring of 2022 with the resignation of Superintendent Skorapa.

 This past fall, the planning committee began work again where it had left off in the spring of 2022. The committee reviewed, analyzed, and synthesized all the data that had been collected in 2021 and 2022.  As we analyzed and synthesized what stakeholders said, several recurring themes began to emerge across all stakeholders.  These themes suggested prioritizing safety and security; providing high-quality and engaging educational programming; hiring and retaining the best educators; focusing on long-term planning; and ensuring fiscal integrity and well-maintained facilities. After identifying the priorities, the planning committee drafted new mission and vision statements and began crafting goals and objectives that when implemented, could help the district achieve its priorities over the next five years.   Our work is not finished yet, but I am happy to report that we are nearing the completion of the first draft of the new RSU No. 67 Strategic Plan.  When our draft is completed, it will be posted for the entire community to review.    

 Strategic planning is both very important and exciting work.  While many organizations hire consultants for this process, completing this project “in-house” will be a major accomplishment.  I am incredibly thankful for the many hours of work by the planning committee, which included members of the School Board, teachers, administrators, and community members.  I am confident that our final plan will truly reflect the priorities of the communities we serve, and will provide the roadmap to a better tomorrow for all of our students, staff, and families. 

 Until next time…………….