Stragetic Plan

After several years of talking about developing a long-term strategic plan for the Berryessa School District, the Board held a one-day retreat in early December to put together a plan with three-year goals for the district.  The retreat included a broad cross section of community members and district employees.  We spent the day brainstorming about the strengths and weaknesses of the district, developing three-year goals and then working in small teams to create a 6-month action plan. 

The Board officially approved the Strategic Plan at our Jan. 21 meeting and the goals have been disseminated out to the school sites so that everyone is aware of the primary objectives for the district.  Each month, the Board will receive a report on progress toward the 6-month objectives and the entire Strategic Planning group will reconvene in May to review the results, adjust the goals, and develop the next action plan.

The first exciting outcome from the retreat was a modernization of the district's Mission Statement.  We continue to focus on developing lifelong learners, but the statement now includes a nod to the 21st century and the global nature of our society.  We are proud to live in as diverse a community as Berryessa, which is a microcosm for the entire world.  All our students need to be prepared not just for college and career, but to be contributing members of an ever shrinking world.  Therefore, our new Mission Statement reads:

Berryessa Union School District provides all students the skills to become lifelong learners and successful 21st century global citizens.

We formulated 5 key 3-year goals for the district, which I hope you agree capture key things that will make our district successful in achieving our mission and improving the educational outcomes for the students we serve.  The five goals are:

1. Ensure a safe learning environment
2. Enhance proficiency in the 4 C's: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity
3. Enhance technology
4. Provide professional development for all staff
5. Increase parent and community involvement and education

Each of these broad goals is supported by a 6-month action plan to get the district on its way to being successful.  The full strategic plan with the action plans is posted on the district website.  These plans include detailed timelines and names of those responsible for implementation.  I look forward to regular reports from the district on how well each of these plans is being implemented.