District Goals for Schools Gain Approval

Many board meetings, public input forums and other work went into developing measurable goals for the . Following several attempts, the Board of Education approved goals outlined by Superintendent Tom Harwood.

The goals address five major areas and include information about long-term targets and priorities, short-term goals, key areas of focus for short-term and the indicators of success.

Among the major areas are:

• Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction
• Literacy
• Professional Learning Communities
• Establishing a Culture of Shared Leadership
• Operational Integrity and Marketing

The outlined goals also include information about the district's core beliefs and values.

Each major area has four to six short term goals and three to seven long-term targets plus three to four indicators for success, which are the "measurables," or the ways in which the school board or district can check on the performance of that goal. This will allow the district to know whether a new goal is appropriate or whether additional attention is necessary in a particular area.

School board member Brendan Walsh said he was pleased with the goals and complimented them saying they were the most well-written goals he's seen in during his time on the board.

He also highlighted the fact that the goals are measurable and specific, noting it will give the district momentum to move forward. Without knowing where the district is at any given time based on its own expectations, it is impossible to know whether the district is moving forward, he explained.

The board was generally positive and happy with the goals.

The goals are attached to this story in PDF format in the photo area.