Transcript Van Buren Schools Home of the Black Knights

Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Strategic Plan
Of The
Van Buren Local Schools
2009
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
MISSION STATEMENT
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
MISSION STATEMENT
We challenge and support all
students to reach their maximum
potential in a changing world.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
VISION STATEMENT
Van Buren schools
will continually
strive to be a
leader in
educational
excellence.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
STATE REPORT CARDS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
EXCELLENT
EFFECTIVE
EFFECTIVE
EXCELLENT
EXCELLENT
EFFECTIVE
EXCELLENT WITH
DISTINCTION
VISION STATEMENT
Van Buren schools
will continually
strive to be a
leader in
educational
excellence.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
BELIEF STATEMENTS
We believe that:
• All Students are capable of
learning when provided a
safe and nurturing
environment.
• Learning is a life long
process.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
BELIEF STATEMENTS
We believe that:
• Our small school
atmosphere stresses
family values and
personal relationships.
• Quality education can only
come when partnering our
school with the
community.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
BELIEF STATEMENTS
We believe that:
• Multiple opportunities
and tools are necessary
for our students to
achieve success.
• Respect, dignity, and
fairness toward all must be
a focal point of our schools
and community.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
BELIEF STATEMENTS
We believe that:
• Diversity should be
integral to the Van Buren
Local Schools’
achievement of
excellence.
• The Judeo-Christian
tradition is the basis of our
community values.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
BELIEF STATEMENTS
We believe that:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
All students are capable of learning when provided a safe and nurturing
environment.
Learning is a life long process.
Our small school atmosphere stresses family values and personal relationships.
Quality education can only come when partnering our school with the community.
Multiple opportunities and tools are necessary for our students to achieve success.
Respect, dignity, and fairness toward all must be a focal point of our school and
community.
Diversity should be integral to the Van Buren Local Schools’ achievement of
excellence.
The Judeo-Christian tradition is the basis of our community values.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
GOALS
Curriculum:
By the fall of 2010, we will implement a
plan to provide innovative curriculum
that best meets our students identified
needs.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
GOALS
Technology:
By 2010, all teachers will routinely integrate
instructional technology to ensure our
students’ technology literacy by the eighth
grade so they can explore advanced
technology in grades 9 through 12.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
GOALS
Facilities:
By June of 2010, identify the present and
future facility needs and make
recommendations to the Board of
Education.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
GOALS
Unity/Communications & Outside Resources:
By the fall of 2009 partnerships will be
developed between area educational
institutions, businesses, and community
organizations to develop plans for community
outreach and to continue to find ways to
improve school and community
communications.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
GOALS
Finances:
To evaluate, research, develop and establish
means to generate funds to support our
school’s educational and extra-curricular
endeavors to maintain Van Buren as a leader
in educational excellence.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Curriculum – By the fall of 2010 we will implement a plan to provide
innovative curriculum that best meets our students identified needs.
Plan of Action: Foreign language instructions for grades K-12
Steps to Accomplish:
 Observe what other districts with K-12 or 3-12 language instruction are
doing.
 Foreign Language committee creates recommendations.
 Proposal is adopted and implementation begins.
 Program is assessed for effectiveness.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Curriculum – By the fall of 2010 we will implement a plan to provide
innovative curriculum that best meets our students identified needs.
Plan of Action: Keyboarding instruction at the elementary level
Steps to Accomplish:
 Investigate and propose a curriculum and programming for keyboarding
instruction (grades 3-5).
 Purchase hardware, curricular, and software needs.
 Identify instructor for this program (potentially only at 3rd and possibly 4th
grade.
 Ensure practice in 5th and 6th grades.
 Assess program.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Curriculum – By the fall of 2010 we will implement a plan to provide
innovative curriculum that best meets our students identified needs.
Plan of Action: All-day, everyday Kindergarten
Steps to Accomplish:
 Form steering committee to spearhead initial research and develop a
timeline.
 Develop a statement of program goals and philosophies.
 Determine impact of full-day Kindergarten on school budget.
 Determine structure and phase-in schedule.
 Develop a community communication plan.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Curriculum – By the fall of 2010 we will implement a plan to provide
innovative curriculum that best meets our students identified needs.
Plan of Action: All-day, everyday Kindergarten
Steps to Accomplish:





Develop needs assessment (survey).
Administer a needs assessment (survey).
Determine how students will be selected for full-day Kindergarten.
Select curriculum and provide professional development.
Develop an evaluation plan.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Curriculum – By the fall of 2010 we will implement a plan to provide
innovative curriculum that best meets our students identified needs.
Plan of Action: Address the gifted and vocational needs K-12 through AP
coursework, honors coursework, gifted education, PSEO, and vocational
coursework.
Steps to Accomplish:
 Create Curriculum Committee of parents, staff, Board, and administration.
 Investigate community preferences for curricular offerings.
 Identify student curricular needs.
 Visit other programs.
 Institute changes/additions to the curriculum.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Technology – By 2010 all teachers will integrate instructional technology on
a routine basis to ensure our students technology literacy by the 8th grade
so that they can explore advanced technology in grades 9-12.
Plan of Action: All teachers are to include web content as a standard part of
their classroom and be able to edit text, upload pictures, and post documents.
Steps to Accomplish:




Determine teachers current level of proficiency, comfort ability.
Create a professional development schedule.
Provide one on one training.
Assess teacher use of skills.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Technology – By 2010 all teachers will integrate instructional technology on
a routine basis to ensure our students technology literacy by the 8th grade
so that they can explore advanced technology in grades 9-12.
Plan of Action: Each teacher has their students submit at least one digital
artifact per 9 weeks. Submission is through e-mail, uploaded via Moodle, or
via some other digital transport method.
Steps to Accomplish:
 Provide each staff member with active web presence and e-mail account.
 Create a professional development plan and provide one on one training.
 Provide e-mail and Moodle account for each student.
 Assure adequate hardware and storage capabilities
 Assess program.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Facilities - By June of 2010, identify the present and future facility needs
and make recommendations to the Board of Education..
Plan of Action: Develop a comprehensive plan for facility needs
Steps to Accomplish:
 Create a budget account for property acquisition.
 Begin exploration of possible land acquisition.
 Create plan to provide additional parking facilities by removing old,
inefficient out buildings.
 Identify cost of repairing immediate needs of existing Middle School.
 Develop a communication program to achieve community support.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Facilities - By June of 2010, identify the present and future facility needs
and make recommendations to the Board of Education..
Plan of Action: Develop a comprehensive plan for facility needs
Steps to Accomplish:
 Inventory transportation and maintenance facilities and evaluate their
usage.
 Conduct a “space” audit of the existing HS/MS building.
 Construct additional parking areas.
 Develop master plan for academic facilities.
 Determine master plans effect on secondary facilities (transportation,
maintenance, athletics).
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Facilities - By June of 2010, identify the present and future facility needs
and make recommendations to the Board of Education.
Plan of Action: Develop a comprehensive plan for facility needs
Steps to Accomplish:





Confirm public support for Master Plan.
Budget, prepare architectural plans and seek alternative funding.
Conduct facilitated public forums.
Place bond issue on ballot.
Begin construction.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Unity/Communication & Outside Resources- By the fall of 2009, partnerships will be
developed between area educational institutions, businesses, and community
organizations to develop plans for community outreach and to continue to find ways
to improve school and community communications.
Plan of Action: Create a Van Buren Alumni Association
Steps to Accomplish:
 Identify past graduates, staff members, and community members who have
an interest in developing an Alumni Association.
 Create committee to investigate other successful alumni associations.
 Develop a plan to contact all alumni of the Van Buren Schools.
 Determine the alumni interest and support for the program.
 Institute program.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Unity/Communication & Outside Resources- By the fall of 2009, partnerships will be
developed between area educational institutions, businesses, and community
organizations to develop plans for community outreach and to continue to find ways
to improve school and community communications.
Plan of Action: Expand Career development & Job Search Skills for our Students
Steps to Accomplish:
 Identify contacts at local businesses and educational institutions.
 Meet with contacts to develop curriculum and to solicit their participation
in the program.
 Examine existing schedule and curriculum to determine integration of the
program.
 Institute the program.
 Assess the program.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Unity/Communication & Outside Resources- By the fall of 2009, partnerships will be
developed between area educational institutions, businesses, and community
organizations to develop plans for community outreach and to continue to find ways
to improve school and community communications.
Plan of Action: Develop partnerships with area educational institutions, businesses,
and community organizations to enhance educational opportunities.
Steps to Accomplish:
 Identify contacts at local businesses and educational institutions.
 Meet with contacts to solicit their participation in the program.
 Determine mutually beneficial educational opportunities (technical
training, post secondary options, job shadowing, internships, etc).
 Institute the program.
 Assess the program.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Finances - To evaluate, research, develop and establish means to generate funds to
support our school’s educational & extra-curricular endeavors to maintain Van
Buren as a leader in educational excellence.
Plan of Action: Evaluate ways of reducing fixed costs in the day-to-day
operation of the district
Steps to Accomplish:





Evaluate current energy use and identify areas where savings can be found.
Acquire proposals from energy management companies.
Evaluate ways of reducing fuel and transportation costs.
Review cost of purchased services.
Review purchasing methods of supplies and materials.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Finances - To evaluate, research, develop and establish means to generate funds to
support our school’s educational & extra-curricular endeavors to maintain Van
Buren as a leader in educational excellence.
Plan of Action: Improve communications with the staff and community for
better understanding of our current and future financial needs.
Steps to Accomplish:
 Create a District Finances link on the school district’s website.
 Conduct an annual community meeting to report on the financial status of
the district.
 Publish, in a continuing series, articles in the Knightly News outlining school
finance.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Finances - To evaluate, research, develop and establish means to generate funds to
support our school’s educational & extra-curricular endeavors to maintain Van
Buren as a leader in educational excellence.
Plan of Action: Constantly and actively search for funding opportunities.
Steps to Accomplish:
 Research the methodology and feasibility of creating a Foundation Fund.
 Provide training to the administration and staff in the researching and
writing of grants for the school district.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
Finances - To evaluate, research, develop and establish means to generate funds to
support our school’s educational & extra-curricular endeavors to maintain Van
Buren as a leader in educational excellence.
Plan of Action: Establish a financial plan that includes options and
recommendations to adequately fund the strategic plan and address financial
conditions.
Steps to Accomplish:
 Develop a list of all district cost saving initiatives.
 Identify projects that have the potential to generate revenue or that can be
funded by outside sources.
 Explore business opportunities of partnerships for funding
 Coordinate with other Van Buren Strategic Plan Action Teams to determine
effective funding measures.
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
THANK YOU
To the following individuals who contributed to the Strategic Planning
Board of Education
Ken Rowles – President
Karen Flanagan – VP
Jeff Salisbury
Matt Conkle
Chris McKinley
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
THANK YOU
To the following individuals who contributed to the Strategic Planning
Focus Group Hosts
Lead Team
Roy & Angie Benson
Matt Ryder
Jeff Salisbury
Ken Rowles
Todd & Heather Roberts
Scott Oestreich
Erica Kelley
Mark Smith
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ken Rowles
Jeff Salisbury
Tim Myers
Jay Clark
Rhonda Nye
Ann Kuhlman
Ed May
Neil Clark
Dale Anderbery
Jim Griffith
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
THANK YOU
To the following individuals who contributed to the Strategic Planning
Management Team
Matt Ryder
Erica Kelley
Mark Smith
Tim Murphy
Jeff Salisbury
Joe Routzon
Dale Anderbery
Linda Carles
Neil Clark
Rhonda Nye
Jay Clark
Ed May
Alvin Trusty
Michael Brand
Kristina Junge
Cindi Grant
Dave Long
Chris Ward
Ken Rowles
Jonathan Morse
Mary Domke
Steve Endicott
Rob Obenour
Deb Lautermilch
Matt Bostdorff
Jan August
Carol Sudlow
Tim Myers
Judith Ennis
Scott Oestreich
Ron Siferd
Kurt Ohlrich
Brian Mast
Ann Kuhlman
Julie Switzer
Brian Edler
Cheryl Bayes
Monica Hiris
Richard Lehman
Jeanine Clark
Patrick Dymarkowski
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
THANK YOU
To the following individuals who contributed to the Strategic Planning
Action Teams
Curriculum Team
Jeanine Clark – co-chair
Jay Clark – co-chair
Angie Cavera
Dr. Allison Goedde
Jane McCleary
Cassie Ohlrich
Ron Phillip
Kathy Yoder
Unity/Outside Resource
Team
Carol Sudlow – co-chair
Michael Brand – co-chair
Patrick Dymarkowski
Kelly Schroll
Chris Ward
Finance Team
Jan August – co-chair
Jeff Salisbury – co-chair
Ken Rowles
Tim Myers
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
THANK YOU
To the following individuals who contributed to the Strategic Planning
Action Teams
Facilities Team
Technology Team
Ed May – co-chair
Richard Lehman – co-chair
Matt Conkle
Jeff Endicott
Randy Ebling
Steve Endicott
Chris Henry
Stan Heitkamp
Jon Kelley
Shannon Overmeyer
Ann Kuhlman
Paul Schmelzer
Alvin Trusty – co-chair
Matt Bostdorff– co-chair
Chris Kniss
Bob Doxsey
Van Buren Schools
Home of the Black Knights
THANK YOU
To the following individuals who contributed to the Strategic Planning
Also, thank you, to everyone who participated by attending a
small group meeting, a community meeting, or provided
input and information at any time.
Please accept our apologies for any individual who was
mistakenly omitted from the previous lists.
Van Buren Schools
A Tradition of Excellence