6-7-08 By Mark Distaso Co-Chair, Community Education Committee
Strategic planning is a process used by governmental organizations, commercial corporations and private groups. The documents produced from such planning can serve as a roadmap that reminds organizations what their priorities are, how their budgets should be adopted, and what the organization’s goals and objectives are.
There are two general types of strategic plans: One is an expanded mission statement that serves as a tool to promote a given organization’s purpose and helps the organization obtain a public identity. The second type not only helps to publicly promote a given organization but also serves as a true working tool to guide an organization’s decision-making process and help decision makers stay on track with their stated goals. It is this second type of plan that best fits the current needs of the Acton Agua Dulce School District. When the CEC recommended the development of a strategic plan to the Board, it was my hope that the District would pursue this more comprehensive type of plan. Hopefully the District will choose to do so – and will use all facets of the community to seek input when establishing priorities and goals for the District.
With the District facing so many issues; past, present, and probably into the future, the District is the perfect candidate for the establishment of a strategic plan. Based on the types of issues we face, a skeletal outlined was suggested as a starting point for the District. This initial outline has four general phases:
Phase I: Obtain a long-range fiscal recovery plan and establish a contingency plan to house unanticipated, but inevitable student population growth.
Phase II: Conduct a District wide Needs Assessment Study projected out over the next 20 years. Based on the results of such a study, develop a District wide Facilities Master Plan that will allow the District to have the buildings necessary to support current and future housing and educational needs of teachers and students.
Phase III: Work to establish a consensus within the community about a high school. Use significant community input and the results of the above studies to design and develop a high school – and when appropriate – build it. Work to bring families living in the District but not attending District schools back into our system.
Phase IV: With the combined input of the teaching staff, parents, community members, and students (where appropriate) establish a community standard and expectation on the quality and level of education desired for our children. Work to enhance our educational process by whatever means are deemed appropriate by teaching staff and community members.
Although we are a small school district, it does not mean that we should be without the sophistication and planning of larger ones. The teaching talent is here and the capability of our children is without question. By implementing good planning strategies, employing sound budgetary practices, and developing and maintaining properly designed and maintained facilities, there is little that we cannot accomplish when it comes to providing quality education for our kids.
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