Strategic Goals

 Strategic Goal #1

We will establish a yearly improvement trend in our overall student learning and academic achievement.

Objective 1: Establish a consistent standard for student placement in classes and courses, K-12, to maximize student learning.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Communicate, recognize, and address the needs and expectations of students transitioning from one school to another	Principals	On-going	School transition shows improvement academically and socially
Flexible grouping and differentiated instruction to meet individual needs of students	Principals	On-going	· Improved achievement indicated by analysis of standardized testing · Appropriate students served and academically ready for honors geometry in grade 9 · Data shows process is beneficial to student learning minimizing schedule changes
To involve parents and students in the transitioning process	Superintendent’s cabinet	On-going	Improved readiness of students in new placement
Improve access to outside resources in line with Berkshire Compact initiative	Superintendent’s cabinet	2009	Established informal and formal school partnerships with businesses

Objective 2: Utilize and refine a consistent evaluation method for grades K-12 that will accurately measure student progress.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Develop an appropriate district-wide assessment plan for grades K-12	Principals Superintendent	2008	· Plan and budget for plan approved · Follow-up
Establish consistent student assessment classroom criteria for all students in grades K-12	Principals Superintendent	2008	· Criteria established and utilized · Written guide for reference

 Objective 3: Develop broad-based measurable student expectations for all three school levels which include social, civic, and academic skills as well as other identified achievement.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Elementary faculty develops a grade Pre-K – 6 list of measurable student expectations with benchmarks of achievement. These are to include academic, civic and social area.	Principal	2008	· Full faculty acceptance · Expectations and benchmarks are established, followed and utilized effectively
All students will aspire to complete 16 years of education	All stakeholders	On-going	Increase in the number of students successfully completing post-graduate programs
Each building communicates their plan for acknowledging student accomplishments consisting of encouragement, incentives and rewards	Principals All staff members	On-going	· Plans developed · Acceptance and participation by parents, students and staff · Increased number of students being recognized
All students will reach high standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and math	All stakeholders	2011	· Increase in the percentage of third grade students reading at grade level · Increase in the percentage of students scoring at or above proficient in reading/language arts and math on the MCAS
Explore expanding instructional time for ELA and math at middle school	Principal	2006	Schedule and/or class syllabi will reflect increased time, both in core subject and exploratory classes
All limited English proficient students will become proficient in English and reach high academic standards, at a minimum attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and math	Superintendent’s cabinet Teachers	2011	Increase in the percentage of students with limited English proficiency scoring at or above proficient in reading/language arts and math on the MCAS
All students will graduate from high school	All stakeholders	2011	Increase in the percentage of students who graduate from high school each year with a regular diploma

Objective 4: Continually update textbooks, materials, and equipment and conduct teacher training to improve student learning.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Ensure implementation of the state required technology plan for using computer technology through a three pronged approach: hardware, software, and training, to improve student learning and academic achievement	Superintendent Technology staff	On-going	· Plan developed · Full time coordinator hired · Continuous progress toward implementation
Develop a district-wide yearly rotational plan for purchasing and replacing textbooks and major equipment	Principals Curriculum Committees	On-going	Plan established, followed and funded
Develop a plan for training teachers to be experts in various instructional, curricular, and assessment practices for the purpose of training additional staff	Superintendent’s cabinet	On-going	Plan developed, followed and funded
Ensure that all students are provided with technology skills and education that are current	Superintendent’s cabinet Teachers Tech Staff	On-going	· Assessment · Successful internships · College acceptance as technology majors

Strategic Goal #2

 The community will recognize the value of their public schools through their approval of the proposed school district budgets and support the fundraising efforts of the local education foundation.

Objective 1: Develop a comprehensive public relations program that will highlight the district’s operations and accomplishments to all aspects of the community.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Publicity becomes part of the job descriptions and evaluation of the principals and superintendent	Community Relations Coordinator   Principals  Superintendent	On-going	· Coordinator in place · Process of data gathering, preparing and publishing is in place ready for implementation · Material and information is published and visible to the community in multiple forms
Televise School Committee meetings	School Committee Chairman	On-going	Meetings are broadcast monthly
Engage the Teachers’ Association in the publicity program selling the district and the value of education. Work to eliminate negative comments from staff in the classroom and out in the community	President of Adams-Cheshire Teachers Association (ACTA)	On-going	· ACTA adopts a campaign that establishes their role in promoting the schools · Initiate the campaign by conducting at least one event
Utilize public access venues to highlight the strengths and value of the schools to the community	Community Relations Coordinator Principals	On-going	More exposure in the community
Update the ACRSD brochure highlighting the strengths and value of the schools to the community.	Community Relations Coordinator	On-going	Revised to reflect updating every two years

Objective 2: Develop an operational and financial data model that can clearly communicate the financial and educational effectiveness of the district to all stakeholders.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Produce an annual fact sheet that shows how our district is performing from an educational perspective and a financial perspective. The format of the data should support web delivery, single sheet handouts or be part of a brochure.	Audit and Evaluation Committee Chair	On-going	Positive and accurate feedback from the town officials
Roundtable Forum with key community leaders to provide information to the community. It will be held 3-4 times a year to report on the district’s strategic initiatives and discuss local, state and national educational issues.	Superintendent	On-going	Positive and feedback from participants

Objective 3: Establish a Classroom-Community Engagement Program that will extend the classroom activities out to the community.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Community Service Learning will continue to be integrated into the curriculum at each of the four schools	Cabinet	On-going	· Process instituted to match project ideas to class activities · At least one project conducted at each school (goal should be three)
Develop projects that open school programs and facilities to the entire community	Principals	On-going	Projects are well received and attended
Continue programs that integrate members of the community into the classroom	Principals	On-going	· Process instituted to match project ideas to class activities · At least one project conducted
Expand/Strengthen the Guidance Department with connections to universities, businesses and the community	Assistant Principal Principal	On-going	Positive and accurate feedback from students and parents

Objective 4: Extend the school community beyond today's students, parents and taxpayers by engaging our alumni and stakeholders.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Establish regular communication with Stakeholders that will include E-mail newsletters highlighting school events, accomplishments and projects underway. Also included will be information on involvement and funding contribution opportunities including the ACRSD Foundation	District Office	On-going	· Communication initiated · Positive and accurate feedback from stakeholders

Strategic Goal #3

On a year-to-year basis each of our schools will recruit, develop and retain an instructional staff that exhibits the skills, motivation and dedication to attain high standards of student success.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Maintain links on the ACRSD web sites for current job listings and community sites	Technology Committee	On-going	Site is kept current
Continue the ACRSD Comprehensive Induction Program	Mentor Coordinator Principals	On-going	Mentors named and orientation completed
Continue to gather additional information from selected teachers who remain with the district	Strategic Goal Committee	On-going	Completed surveys and compilation report
Maintain competitive salaries and attractive benefit packages along with positive working environments	School Committee Superintendent Principals	Ongoing	Needs are identified

Strategic Goal #4

Ninety percent of our students’ parents, in each school, will be actively engaged in their child's education in accordance with identified criteria.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Implement initiatives to enhance school/home communication and parent engagement	All stakeholders	On-going	· Documented initiatives · Regular parent information workshops · Newsletters · Websites · School messengers system employed

Strategic Goal #5

All teachers will be highly qualified and properly certified, teaching in alignment with state and local standards and participating in a process of review and appropriate revision of instructional practices.

Objective 1: All classroom instruction will be in alignment with state and local standards.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Provide all teachers with copies of the most current framework standards	Principal	Ongoing	Visible in all classrooms and libraries.
Schedule opportunities for teachers to review curriculum and update and refine course content to ensure that their programs are in alignment with state standards	Superintendent Principals	Ongoing	· Examples of student work · Curriculum documents · Analysis of school and district MCAS scores
Establish regular formal and informal observations of classroom practices	Principals	On-going	Signed teacher observation/evaluation forms
Appoint team leaders for all buildings to coordinate and support curriculum initiatives	Superintendent School Committee Principals	2008	Appointments

Objective 2: Provide routes to licensure for teachers with varied backgrounds.

Schedule a review of the licensure status of all employees annually	Principals	On-going	Documentation on file in district office
Provide appropriate mentoring support for all new teachers in the district	Superintendent Principals	On-going	All candidates for professional license will be paired with a trained mentor
District will continue to provide avenues for paraprofessional training	Superintendent’s Cabinet	On-going	Percentage of highly qualified paraprofessionals

Strategic Goal #6

Adams-Cheshire Regional School District facilities will have maintenance and capital needs identified and completed by August 2011.

Objective 1: Establish a system that provides a collaboration of town government and schools in developing on-going plans and financial resources to address maintenance and capital needs

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Complete a renovation and addition to the Cheshire Elementary School	School committee Business manager Superintendent SBA Town Officials	September 2011	Building will be renovated
Complete the renovation needs of the Adams Memorial Middle School	School committee Business manager Superintendent SBA Town Officials	September 2011	Building will be renovated
Address the annual needs identified in the district maintenance plan from November 2005	Maintenance sub-committee Business manager Superintendent	August each year	Projects completed
Establish a long term capital outlay plan to fund projects outside of the operating budget	Superintendent Business manger School Committee Town Officials School district auditors	On-going	Funds will be available for projects identified

Strategic Goal #7

Ninety percent of our community residents will recognize and acknowledge our school system for excellent communication and understanding of each other’s needs and priorities.

Objective 1: To establish lines of communication between the public and school community

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Superintendent and School Committee meet regularly with Adams & Cheshire town officials	District Officials	On-going	Positive and accurate feedback
Continue our annual district-wide Academic/Fine Arts Festival.	District Fine Arts Staff	On-going	· Attendance figures · Diversity of audience
Better utilize www.acrsd.net.	Technology Team	On-going	Number of visits to site
Increase newspaper coverage of positive items including input from Superintendent about events at schools.	School staff District Office Staff	On-going	More positive items in print
Increase number of news items on public access television and community web sites.	School staff District Office Staff	On-going	Greater visibility of announcements, events

Strategic Goal #8

All support services both internal and external to the district will be known, easily accessed and appropriately utilized in an integrated fashion.

Objective 1: Educate stakeholders in accessing and utilizing support services in district.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Provide links to support services on district web site	Technology Coordinators	Annual updates	· Evidenced by accurate and appropriate links · Web site accessed by 50 % of parents
Handbooks and manuals for parents, students, and staff will include district resources and links to support services.	Principals	Annual updates	Information distributed to all stakeholders in appropriate languages
Input from stakeholders will be accessed through surveys and interviews that address student achievement, access and equity, organizational support and the quality of interaction between home and school.	All stakeholders	2009	Information gathered is incorporated into a needs assessment

Strategic Goal #9

Ninety-five percent of our students and staff will report feeling safe and secure in our schools.

Objective 1: All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug free and conducive to learning.

Strategy	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline	Indicators of Accomplishment
Annual review of Crisis Manual and procedures that includes school, police, fire and emergency personnel	Crisis Team	November of each school year	Manuals are revised and redistributed
New initiatives developed to address safety concerns	District Cabinet Crisis Team	On-going	Updates made and distributed
Gather and analyze data from the Student Health Survey, teacher survey and student survey, and community input to assess level of security and safety felt by faculty and students	Action Team	Annual updates	Data analysis is made public to stakeholders
Implement a uniform tracking system for all discipline referrals in the district, so that schools can easily identify problem areas	Guidance BBTs	On-going	· Accurate records · MMS employed at all school levels for record keeping
Anti-bullying initiatives/ anti-harassment programs will be in place in all district schools. Developing and implementing preventative programs in the areas of student safety including anti-bullying, anti-harassment, chemical abuse, internet safety.	Principals School Adjustment counselors	On-going	· Documented programs · Recorded data/results · Decrease in related behavioral and/or academic referrals · Reduced incidence levels
Development of an alternative program that will address the behavior challenges that keep some students from learning	Principals Director of Special Services	August 2006	· At-risk student population reduced · Decrease of behavioral and/or academic referrals