Region 15’s Strategic Plan Updates
Approved by the Board of Education on March 12, 2007



MISSION
 (It is the keystone of the strategic plan and provides ongoing focus for the school district) 

The mission of Region 15, a district committed to excellence, is to educate our students to be capable, productive and enlightened citizens through proven and innovative learning experiences supported by strong community collaboration and decision-making based on the best interest of all students.

BELIEFS
(The statement of beliefs is the beginning of the strategic plan.
It is the formal expression of the fundamental values of the school district)

 

We believe that … 

·         all people have inherent worth.

·         all people are responsible for their actions.

·         all people can learn.

·         high expectations drive performance.

·         effort is critical for people to achieve their personal best.

·         honesty and integrity are essential for building trust and cooperation among people.

·         the entire community benefits when people take responsibility for the well being of its members.

·         a quality education expands opportunities and options for personal enrichment and success.

·         change involves risk, but is necessary for progress and growth.

·         public education is a shared responsibility of the entire community.

·         family plays a pivotal role in every child’s development.

·         an educated and involved citizenry is essential to sustain a dynamic democracy.

 

 

STRATEGIC PARAMETERS

(Strategic parameters represent boundaries and guidelines in which the district will do its work. 
They represent things the district will either “always do” or “never do”.)

  

 

·         We will always practice fiscal responsibility by balancing the educational needs of our students with the community’s willingness to pay.

·         We will always maintain safe learning environments conducive to learning.

·         No new program or service will be accepted unless it is consistent with the strategic plan, benefits clearly justify the cost, and provisions are made for staff development and program evaluation.

·         No program or service will be retained unless it makes an optimal contribution to achieving the mission and benefits continue to justify the costs.

·         Site-based decisions will always be consistent with the strategic plan.

·         We will not tolerate disrespectful behavior which demeans the dignity or self-worth of any individual or group.

·         We will encourage all students to participate in meaningful service and citizenship activities within the school and community.

·         We will always work to improve internal and external communications.

 

 

OBJECTIVES
(The objectives are what the school district must achieve if it is to accomplish the mission. 
True objectives stretch the organization, create risks and require accountability.)

 

·         All students will meet or exceed proficiency standards in subject areas as measured by State and/or Region 15 assessments; the percent of students scoring at or above goal will increase annually.

·         Each student will pursue and achieve challenging goals tailored to individual interests, talents and aspirations.

·         All students will demonstrate proficiency in communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving and the application of technology.

 

 
 

STRATEGIES & ACTION PLANS
(Strategies state how the school district will accomplish the objectives thereby realizing the mission. 
A strategy is the mission in action.)

 

STRATEGY 1

We will continue to develop and implement a well articulated Pre K-12 curriculum in all disciplines and identify the assessments needed to achieve our mission and objectives.

 

Action Plans to Accomplish Strategy:

  • Develop and implement effective curriculum evaluation tools using multiple sources of feedback.

  • Offer ongoing staff development to continue to facilitate development and delivery of high quality curriculum and effective assessment strategies.

  • Present Region 15 samples of student assessments and benchmarked student work in ways that provide students, faculty, parents and community a complete picture of student proficiency in all curriculum areas and across all grade levels.

  • Advocate a strong multicultural focus in our curriculum across grade levels and all content areas.

  • Enhance parents and community understanding and support of curriculum through regular communication.

  • Secure the necessary funding for our curriculum, instruction, assessment and evaluation.

  • Maintain a continuous planned, systematic approach for the curriculum development process.

 

 

STRATEGY 2

We will capitalize on the energy, talents, and expertise of Region 15 staff to promote high degrees of collaboration to ensure quality instruction.

 

Action Plans to Accomplish Strategy:

  • Establish a database of the instructional and content expertise of Region 15 staff to serve as a resource for our professional community.

  • Provide opportunities for staff to observe colleagues and collaboratively analyze student work and discuss instruction.

  • Conduct a feasibility study of implementing a resident teacher program in Region 15.

 

 

STRATEGY 3

We will develop the community support necessary to provide sufficient resources and facilities to achieve our mission and objectives.
 

Action Plans to Accomplish Strategy:

·         Implement marketing proposals for capital projects and budget approval.

·         Solicit greater input for capital projects and budget proposals from Towns’ officials in order to obtain their ongoing support.

·         Encourage the Board of Education to work collaboratively and constructively for the good of the Region 15 community.

·         Develop new, and improve current methods, frequency and quality of communications with the community.

·         Develop and enhance existing programs to foster a sense of one Region 15 community.

·         Create an active community outreach program.



STRATEGY 4

We will develop and implement plans to attract, retain, develop and recognize high quality staff to best achieve our mission and objectives.
 

Action Plans to Accomplish Strategy:

  • Improve the system for recruiting and hiring of high quality of staff.

  • Expand the current mentor program to provide support for all non-tenured teachers.

  • Expand the current professional development model to include increased time for on-going professional development.

  • Expand tuition reimbursement for continuing education courses so Region 15 further supports staff for professional growth.

  • Negotiate the pay scale for staff with support of the community so that the Region 15 pay scale is consistent with Region 15 goals.

  • Develop additional cost effective incentives to attract and retain high quality staff.

  • Establish a career ladder-distributed leadership structure that provides staff with opportunities for variation and advancement within Region 15 that will lead to professional growth and job satisfaction.



STRATEGY 5

We will devise a system to assist students in setting, pursuing and achieving educational goals tailored to their interests, talents and aspirations.
 

Action Plans to Accomplish Strategy:

  • Integrate goal-setting into the K-12 curriculum.

  • Develop a framework for goal setting tailored to elementary students’ interests, talents and aspirations.

  • Develop a framework for goal setting tailored to middle school students’ interests, talents and aspirations.

  • Develop a framework for goal setting tailored to high school students’ interests, talents and aspirations.

  • Promote partnerships among faculty, families, communities, local government and businesses to assist students in identifying interests, talents and aspirations.