TY FOR TCAPS

We had a great discussion last night on our new 5-year strategic plan.

This strong draft builds on our previous 3-year plan (4 of the 5 focus areas carr​y over from 2022–25) and is well aligned with our mission, vision, and values—including our commitment to inclusive education, equitable access, and success for all.

It reflects our Board of Education Standards of Practice and the special moral and ethical imperative we’ve agreed to: serving each student and allocating funds equitably based on student need.

I’m happy that the draft plan incorporates findings from our recent Educational Equity Listening Tour and adds a new focus area on health, wellbeing, and school connectedness that builds on our whole-child systems work.

I’m also grateful for the specific goals for our students who are furthest from opportunity—nearly 40% (nearly 3400) of our kids live in or near poverty. These goals will help us close opportunity gaps while raising outcomes for all.

With some prioritization and refinement​ —

• Fewer goals (ideally under 10; currently 34)

​• More ambitious academic targets (we can aim higher than 1% growth per year)

​• Sharper equity focus in key areas like advanced coursework enrollment​ (ie. AP classes, dual enrollment), after-school/summer co-curriculars and enrichment, ​and math/literacy outcomes​ to help us level the playing field for ​our economically disadvantaged students

— this plan can be both inspiring and practical, balancing our staffing capacity and financial realities while truly positioning us to ensure success for every one of our kids by 2030.

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You can watch last night’s discussion here.

• Public comments start around 3:30 and 3hr03:00

• Staff presentation starts around 12:30

• Board discussion starts around 51:00

• 25/26 elementary splits discussion starts around 2hr45:00

Story by Kathryn in the paper today