A New Year of Opportunity and Beginnings - January 2005
Dr. William C. Skilling, Superintendent
Last month, we reconvened our strategic planning committee to give accountability, to make adjustments and to identify new goals. We also developed some guiding principles for potential budget reductions for next school year, should they become necessary. Since the state will not further reduce our foundation grant this year, we are able to complete the current school year with no further budget reductions. This is great news!
With a new year upon us, we are focusing our attention on continued improvement and growth in our school district. The strategic planning committee outlined the following goals that we plan to focus on in the new year:
1. We will implement a facility improvement project, including both a long-range maintenance plan and a facilities bond for 2006.
2. We will design a comprehensive staff-development program to include multi-media learning
systems, brain based learning research, assessment and instructional technology that will lead
to improved teaching and learning.
3. We will implement a continuous curriculum improvement process to modify, replace and expand curriculum.
4. We will implement a district-wide accountability system to monitor our progress and meet the standards of No Child Left Behind and Education Yes.
5. We will implement an essential skills program to include life skills and careers.
To see the complete strategic plan, please go to our web site at http://www.webbervilleschools.org. Under the “District” heading, you will find a pull down menu. Please go to “District Information” to locate the updated 2005 – 2010 strategic plan. This updated strategic plan will give us a new opportunity to continue making the necessary improvements to our school district in order to become a Premier School District Setting the New Standard of Excellence. We have made such great strides this past year as a result of our first strategic plan. I believe we will make even greater strides this year.
January will be a historic time in our school district. The new elementary multipurpose room will be completed, and for the first time in forty-four years the elementary students will eat lunch in their own school. No longer will they have to walk to the secondary school to have lunch. This new facility will also provide space for elementary PE, additional room for after-school practices for the volleyball and basketball teams, and greater opportunity for community recreation programs.
On January 24, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. we will be having our dedication and open house for all of the 2002 bond projects. There will be a short board meeting in the new secondary media center, with a dedication ceremony and tour of all the renovated areas and new classrooms that have been added to the secondary building. After the secondary tour, we will reconvene at the elementary school’s new multipurpose room. We will have a short dedication ceremony there as well. Afterwards, we will tour the new multipurpose room and new computer lab. Refreshments will be provided at the elementary school. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending this dedication event. We would like to express our appreciation for the support that the community gave us for the 2002 Bond. Have a happy New Year!