Update - The Board Retreat Summary from April, 2009 - Summary

From the Superintendent

The Whitefish School District’s strategic plan is presented to you as a map for restructuring the educational program and to restructure our facilities to accommodate our instructional methods. This plan was developed through the efforts of many people whose clear intent is to eliminate failure, or to put it another way, to ensure the success of all students.

This is a three-year plan that has several key elements necessary for the objectives of the plan to be met:
The foundation of the plan is to determine the direction for all curriculum and instruction programs so all of our community’s children will achieve and find success in their academic endeavors.
Our school facilities will be restructured to meet the needs of our educational programs for more effective and efficient learning environment for all staff and students.
It is critical that the school district seeks highly qualified instructors and to provide staff development opportunities for advanced professional growth in efforts to attract and retain quality instructors.
New partnerships will need to be forged between the school, community, parents, agencies and anyone who will assist in meeting our goals and directing objectives.

The direction is set! With effective use of our time, efforts and resources, I am confident the results will greatly enhance our total educational system and the students who attend our quality school system.

Jerry L. House

Superintendent

Mission

The mission of the Whitefish School District is to assure all students entrusted to the District are provided the educational opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and concepts necessary to function effectively in a changing global society.

Guiding Principles

We believe that curriculum, instructional practices, and facilities should be designed to meet the diverse educational needs of all students and staff. Those needs include a safe and comfortable environment; best practices and successful strategies for diverse learning styles; and a positive, nurturing, motivational learning climate.
We believe that a positive student/teacher relationship is required to foster intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for life-long learning.
We are committed to high standards, expectations and goals for all students – and to valuing student input and feedback as an integral part of their educational process.
We take responsibility for assuring appropriate and accurate assessment and evaluation of individual student achievement and overall District achievement.
We hire staff who demonstrate commitment to educational leadership and development of the whole child as expected by the District,
We develop appropriate policy and critically review it on a regular basis.
We are committed to fiscal responsibility to taxpayers.
We believe that the District’s educational philosophy, programs, policies and strategic goals should be reflected in its governance decisions and budget.
We believe that communication is the key to successful working relationships, community support and facilitating identified changes.

Parameters

All new programs must be consistent with the Strategic Plan.
No new program will be initiated unless it survives cost/benefit analysis and sets in place an evaluation procedure(s).
We will use technology to help students achieve through integration of technology into all curricular subjects.
We will maintain quality academic programs at both the elementary and secondary levels.
We will continue to value our Whitefish community by supporting adult education and use of District facilities.

Strategic Planning Goals and Directing Objectives

#1. CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES, AND ASSESSMENT

Goal Statement: Design curriculum, instructional practices, programs, assessment and staff training to meet the diverse needs of all students in the District.

Directing Objectives:

1.1. Continue to align the K-12 Standards-Based curriculum with research-based instructional strategies, assessment, and sound grading and reporting practices as evidenced by District documents and State reporting.

1.2. Using four differentiated staff achievement levels, teachers will implement “Assessment for Learning” principles to include sound grading and reporting practices. (Spring 2008)

1.3. Using Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and the State Criterion Referenced Test (CRT) data systems, administrators and teachers will analyze student progress to determine appropriate interventions, instructional strategies, and materials to increase student achievement. (Spring 2008)

1.4. Train teacher leaders in Differentiated Instruction. (Spring 2009)

1.5. Draft a proposal to serve Gifted/Talented students. (December 2007)

1.6. Implement interventions for all students who are not at benchmark by providing appropriate staffing, facilities, programs, and instruction. (Spring 2008)

1.7. Maintain a Five-Year cycle for ongoing curriculum materials review to involve all K-12 teachers/administrators.

1.8. Provide a two-day orientation to establish ongoing mentoring for new teachers. (Fall 2008)

#2. FACILITIES

Goal Statement: Provide safe, flexible and functional facilities based on current and future instructional needs.

Directing Objectives:

2.1. Retain the Superintendent as the “point person” in moving ahead with improving facilities.

2.2. Redefine the Facilities Committee’s role as an advisory committee that:

Shares information about the Whitefish Facilities Plan.

Explains the District’s education philosophy and vision regarding facilities.

Continues to gather information and ideas from staff and community

2.3. Complete short and long-term plans for renovation of Whitefish High School facilities and present the Board with a timeline that identifies benchmarks.

2.4. Develop and implement an ongoing external and internal public information campaign.

2.5. Implement appropriate infrastructure for technology in all new construction or remodeling projects.

2.6. Develop short and long term plans that accommodate full day kindergarten enrollment including:

Short term location of temporary space by 2008-2009.

Initiation of long term construction of facility space by 2009-2010.

#3. ATTRACTING AND RETAINING QUALITY STAFF

Goal Statement: Implement strategies to attract and retain quality staff to elevate the quality of educational programs offered to all students.

Directing Objectives:

3.1. Investigate housing opportunities for teachers including premium/alternate financing; grants; community partnerships for design and building; student builders; Habitat for Humanity; identifying priorities, etc.

3.2. Explore alternative incentives and compensation to encourage recruitment, educational leadership, excellence and skill development.

3.3. Actively support lobbying efforts by local, regional, and state entities to increase funding for recruiting and retaining educators in Montana.

3.4. Identify skills teachers need; explore ways to effectively evaluate teachers to encourage/develop those skills; provide opportunity for improvement.

3.5. Provide opportunities and incentives for continuing professional development within the context of District goals.

#4. FOSTERING CONNECTIONS – STUDENTS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY

Goal Statement: Foster connectedness between each student and his/her individual school, and between the schools and the community.

Directing Objectives:

4.1. Promote strategies that connect individual students to their school and community by directing student activities to the community through clubs, organizations, and activities.

4.2. Prepare students for future success in society and the workplace by:

- Providing opportunities that connect students to the workplace.

- Providing access to the community and outside resources in support of this directing objective.

4.3. Refine and implement transitional plans and strategies for students moving between elementary and middle school and between middle school and high school to address academic, social and emotional needs.

#5. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Goal Statement: Promote District and community dialogue and sense of partnership.

Directing Objectives:

5.1. Provide forums that engage the Whitefish community in conversation about expectations and future enhancement of Whitefish School District programs including curricular enhancements.

5.2. Continue to explore corporate sponsorships to provide funding for activities not fiscally affordable by Whitefish School District.

5.3. Engage the community in exploration of funding mechanisms (i.e., grants, planned giving, donations, etc.) that might contribute to the Whitefish School District Foundation.

Developing the Strategic Plan

In March 2000, a planning team of School Board of Trustees and the Administrative Team were formed to develop a draft strategic plan for consideration and adoption by the school board. The planning team was charged to review the Whitefish School District and the Whitefish community for strengths and for areas of improvement. Working together with a consultant, the team reconvened in August 2000 for the purpose of drafting a final plan for consideration.

The planning team met for four days to develop the initial parts of the strategic plan. During that time the team analyzed the district and the community; examined environmental impacts; assessed the district’s strengths and weaknesses and identified critical issues that needed to be address the future. By the end of the sessions, the planning team had developed three components of the strategic plan: Vision Statement, Guiding Principles, and Strategic Planning Goals.

The school board approved a revised strategic plan in September 2007. The administrative team was given the directive to complete the strategic plan by developing action plans for each of the goals established. The school district has begun to implement the action plans with the 2007-08 school year and will continue until all goals and objectives have been met by the school year 2009-10. At that time, the district will review its success and move into another planning phase for a new strategic plan.

The Planning Team

School Board of Trustees:

Amy Eddy                                School Board Member

Mike Ferda                              School Board Member

Dave Fern                               School Board Chairperson

Shannon Hanson                    School Board Member

Ruth Harrison                          School Board Member

Erik Hosek                               School Board Member

Pat Jarvi                                  School Board Vice-Chairperson

Administrative Team:

Bobbie Barrett                         Director of Curriculum & Instruction

Chris Deister                           Director of Technology

Kerry Drown                            Whitefish Middle School Principal

Jerry House                             Superintendent

Dave Means                            Director of Special Services

Kent Paulson                           High School Principal

Jeff Peck                                  High School Assistant Principal

Danelle Reisch                         District Clerk

Jill Rocksund                            Muldown Elementary Principal

Chief Facilitator:

Ginny Tribe Consultant

Whitefish School District No. 44

600 East 2nd Street

Whitefish, Montana 59937

For more information about the Strategic Plan

Call the District Office at 862-8640