Mon Apr 11 2016, 5:30pm
Woodland Intermediate School Library
Regular Meeting

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Discussion of Vision Statement

An outcome of the March 12 board retreat was the development of a draft vision statement that sought to capture the beliefs, values, and passion of the board and what you wish for the future of the school district.   The draft was presented to our "First Team" which includes building principals, Special Services Director, Asst. Supt, Exec. Dir. of Business Services, and Superintendent.  That team reviewed and "word-smithed" the statement in an effort to ensure it is clear and appropriatly concise.   In an effort to illuminate the thinking that supports the vision statement, five footnotes have been added.

This draft is being presented to the board for further revision and/or adoption.  Following the agreeement of the board, our team will begin the hard work of adding definition to the vision through the development of draft goals for consideration by the board of directors.

 

Draft Woodland Public Schools Vision Statement

Our[1] vision for Woodland Public Schools, in partnership with families and the community, is to create a PreK-12 system that serves and supports ALL children[2]—and ensures that EACH child has FULL access to[3], is engaged in, and obtains an excellent education that prepares them for responsible citizenship and a future of nimbleness[4] and success in life and their chosen endeavors.[5]

 

[1] The vision for schools comes from the Board, as representatives of the community.  It is the job of the board to establish the vision; determine goals, desired outcomes, and metrics; ensure allocation of resources; and hold the superintendent accountable for progress toward achieving that vision.  It is the job of the superintendent, his/her leadership team, and all adults working within the schools to build that system.

 

[2] “Serves all children” embodies the belief that all children are capable of meeting high standards and that we must serve all children to that end.

 

[3] “Each Child has full access” imbeds a belief that it is a moral imperative that we approach service to children within a context of social justice and equity.

 

[4] “Nimbleness” addresses the belief that students, when they graduate from high school must have the skillset necessary to make life choices and pivot in an indeterminate future.  Many vision statements may include the phrase “in an ever changing world.” The word nimbleness seeks to capture both the future students will face, and the skillset that they must acquire for success in that world.  Graduating TO something not FROM something.

 

[5] “Chosen endeavors” seeks to articulate the belief that not all children will, or necessarily should, know their exact path in life at 18 years old, and it is our goal to ensure that they are prepared to make choices and have full access to a variety of options from which they may choose after high school— whether through college, skilled work, military, or other choices.