If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there? Or how will you know which road to take? Are we all going in the same direction? Strategic planning and setting goals is instrumental in success for organizations. It provides focus, leadership, and a path for success. The Morris Area School Board and Superintendent Scott Monson have proof of the success strategic planning has provided their district.
Scott continues to put the strategic plan and goals in front of the School Board, schools, and the community. They recently completed ‘Year One’ of their plan and kicked off “Year Two” with a meeting where they reviewed progress and shared updates, committees discussed information specific to their focus area, and brainstormed potential next steps.
The areas highlighted for the Morris Area Schools Strategic Plan are:
- Accountability
- Community partnerships
- Student participation
- Trust and communication
- 21st Century students
- Fiscal stability
Each area was assigned to a committee composed of School Board, administration, staff, parents, and community members, and progress has been, and continues to be made. The plan also continues to be a topic at every school board meeting, where various updates and relevant information are discussed or shared.
• Accountability
13 action items – 10 were completed, 2 are in progress/partially completed, 1 was not completed
• Community partnerships
6 action items – 4 were completed, 1 is in progress/partially completed, 1 was not completed
• Student participation
6 action items – 5 were completed, 1 cannot be completed until this fall
• Trust and communication
4 action items – all were completed
• 21st Century students
5 action items – 4 were completed and1 was not completed
• Fiscal stability
5 action items – 4 were completed and 1 was not completed
ALL FOCUS AREAS
39 action items – 90% “success” rate
One of the most impressive aspects of the strategic plan in Morris is the awareness and buy-in of the staff. I believe that because there have been key stakeholders involved in the process, there is more buy-in, awareness, and support for these initiatives. When the staff (N ≈ 47) was surveyed, the “Yes” or “Non-No” responses were overwhelming.
I am aware of the district's Strategic Plan. 98% affirmative
The Strategic Plan is beneficial for me. 93% affirmative
The Strategic Plan is beneficial for our students. 97% affirmative
The Strategic Plan is beneficial for the district. 100% affirmative
I am aware of goals set in the district. 100% affirmative
I am aware of goals set in the building/area I work in. 98% affirmative
Goal setting is beneficial for me. 96% affirmative
Goal setting will benefit for our students. 98% affirmative
Goal setting is beneficial for the district. 98% affirmative
Points Scott really wanted to emphasize are:
- Small(er) districts can and should do Strategic Planning.
· - Input and involvement from stakeholders was very valuable and greatly appreciated.
· - Having a Strategic Plan in our district resulted in:
o increased stakeholder engagement
o common language and dialogue
o action items and positive protocol changes
o focused resources (especially time)
o a feeling of where we are going/direction
o affirmations (what we are doing isn't so bad after all)
We know that progress will continue to be made because of the district leadership’s dedication to the plan and the success of their district.
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