Board approves strategic planning committee

 

By ELIZABETH HARMON
The Independent

 

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The Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education has approved a 68-member committee to develop its new strategic plan.
The committee will convene in mid-April to consider priorities for the district for the next five to seven years.
The committee includes teachers, administrators, parents and community members. Barb Banker, D-200’s director of community services, said the committee represents a cross section of the district.
“We have good representation of different schools, grade levels, parents, community members and staff,” she said.
Some of the members have served on previous district committees but new faces are included as well.
“They have a lot of expertise, experience with the district and good perspectives,” Banker said.
Volunteers for the committee were recruited in February through announcements in local newspapers, school newsletters, the district Web site and word of mouth. Banker said that because the response was very strong, some applicants were turned away.
“We felt bad, but we had to keep the committee at a reasonable number. Even so, it’s very large,” she said.
The planning committee marks the second phase of the “Vision 200” strategic planning process, which began in the fall with open houses intended to solicit public feedback and suggestions for the plan.
Banker said the committee will consider the suggestions and the district’s existing plan as it develops new district priorities. The revised plan will contain broad-based objectives with specific actions connected to each one. Objectives are likely to touch upon student achievement, staff hiring and development, curriculum and other areas.
The committee will work during April and May on the plan and submit a proposed plan for approval by the school board in June.
The district’s current strategic plan was approved in 2002. Banker said a new plan was needed to address changing conditions within the district, such as increased enrollment and new facilities.
“It’s a good idea to revisit a plan every three to five years,” she said.

 

This article was published in the March 26, 2008 edition of The Woodstock Independent.