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September 5, 2007
Volume 1, Issue 7


To begin the 2007-08 school year, the following “Executive Summary” is provided as an update on the efforts underway to develop a new strategic plan for Vancouver Public Schools.


Executive Summary
Strategic Planning Process for Vancouver Public Schools

1st generation background
In 1989, Vancouver Public Schools was at a critical juncture. The world into which its students were graduating no longer was the industrial world of their parents. Advances in computer technology were beginning to change the way people interacted, gathered information, and functioned in the workforce. Thinking ahead, the leaders of Vancouver Public Schools decided it was time to reevaluate the needs of all students and what was essential to prepare them for the new contexts and conditions of the 21st century.

Through a process of community involvement and an analysis of the current state of the district, the “first generation” planning teams identified four primary goal areas: a revitalized curriculum, instructional delivery, and assessment system; a high-quality staff and a learning organization; facilities and learning tools for the 21st century; and partnerships and community support.

As a result of the First Generation Strategic Plan, the curriculum was realigned with new state standards, more students enrolled in academically advanced courses, programs of choice were introduced, after-school and extended-year programs were increased, teachers and staff attained higher levels of skills and expertise, 25 schools were completely rebuilt or remodeled and seven schools were added to the district, school facilities opened up for more community use, major gifts from patrons helped to build district and community assets, partnerships were expanded, and much more.


2nd generation background
Given the realities of exponential change in our community, in our society, and throughout the world, we find ourselves again in a critical time and place to re-evaluate the purposes, goals and roles of Vancouver Public Schools. The “second generation” planning effort is being called Design II: the Art of the Imagination. Through the strategic planning process, we are mobilizing the energy of our broader community to unleash the potential of each student.

The school board will be presented with a recommendation to adopt a Second Generation Strategic Plan by December or January of this school year. The plan will be based on the best practice research in education and the input generated through an extensive stakeholder engagement process.


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Activities
Presentations to District Staff (March)

Strategic Planning Web Page On-line (March 19)

Future Search Symposium (March 15-17)

Strategic Planning Survey (March 19-April 22)

Focus Groups (April-May)

Formation of Goal Area Teams (August)

Goal Area Teams Create Draft Strategic Plan (Sept. 17-Oct. 12)

Staff and Community Members Review and Comment on Draft Plan (Oct. 15-28)

Goal Area Teams Revise Plan (Oct. 29-Nov. 9)

Formatting, Sequencing and Resourcing of Plan (Nov. 12-26)

Presentation to Board of Directors (December/January)

Archives
Contacts for More Information
Questions about the strategic planning process may be directed to the following people:

Dr. Steve Webb, deputy superintendent, 313-1200, steven.webb@vansd.org

Tom Hagley, director of community and government relations, 313-1236, tom.hagley@vansd.org.


Vancouver School District • Strategic Planning • 2901 Falk Road • Vancouver, WA 98661 • 360.313.1236
© 2007 Vancouver Public Schools. All rights reserved.