Staying the Course in the New Year - January 2006
Dr. William C. Skilling, Superintendent
Each new year brings new opportunities for our school district and community. Last month, we reconvened our strategic planning committee to give accountability, evaluate our current progress, make adjustments to the plan, and to establish new strategies if needed. The 32 member committee was comprised of community members, parents, business leaders, government leaders, senior citizens, staff, administration and board of education members. We started this process in December of 2003. We have been meeting every six months to give an account of how we are progressing with our plan and to identify what changes and improvements we need to make. Please review the updates on our web site at http://www.webbervilleschools.org/district/strategicplan/. You will find the updated strategic plan and the previous plans since December of 2003.
This year we did some revisions on our strategy for facilities in addition to adding a new strategy. Each strategy contains an action plan found in the strategic plan. The facilities strategy also has a separate document called Facilities Plan 2006 – 2011. This individual plan is updated yearly as well. It is located on the same web page as the strategic plan. Our facilities improvement committee is meeting in January, 2006. If you are interested in participating on the facilities committee, please call Barbara Weathers at 521-3422 extension 106. Here are the six strategies contained within the plan:
1. We will implement a facilities improvement project including both a long-range maintenance plan and facilities improvement plan for the future.
2. We will design a comprehensive staff development program to include multimedia learning systems; brain based learning research, assessment and instructional technology to improve 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.
6. We will continue to implement a communications and a public relations plan to enhance our relationship and support with parents, community members, and local government officials.
Our strategic planning process has enabled us to navigate through some very difficult financial times to improve our opportunities for students and community members; to increase our enrollment for two consecutive years after experiencing eleven consecutive years of enrollment decline; to hire quality teachers, administrators, and coaches; to improve our educational program offerings; and to develop a long-term facilities improvement process.
Webberville Community Schools is becoming a school of choice where parents want to send their students as a result of following our plan. Our charge for this year is to stick to the plan. The reason I believe strategic planning is working so well is because there is wisdom in a multitude of minds. With all of the input and time that the various committee members have given, it has created an excellent road map to the future for Webberville Community Schools.
We are looking to expand this committee from our current 32 members to fifty members. We would like more members from our community to be involved in this process. We meet twice a year. If you are interested, please contact me at 521-3422.
We are excited about the new community center opening up this summer. To get a sneak preview there will be an open house tour on Saturday, February 25, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Please plan on attending. There will be people located throughout the facility to answer any questions you may have.
On our last day of school, Friday, May 26, 2006 we plan to have our dedication for the new community center. We will also have our second annual Memorial Day celebration and picnic to honor our veterans and current service men and women in Webberville. So please mark your calendar now for these important dates. Have a Happy New Year!