A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO STRATEGIC PLANNING Mitch Everton Saturday, November 23 4:15-5:30

2 Session Agenda  Challenges to effective planning  A practical approach  Questions

3 Challenges: Effective Planning  Operational constraints & distractions

4 Planning Challenges  Operational constraints & distractions  Effective stakeholder input

5 Planning Challenges  Operational constraints & distractions  Effective stakeholder input  A usable, concise document; accountability

6 Planning Challenges  Operational constraints & distractions  Effective stakeholder input  A usable, concise document; accountability  An affordable process

7 A Practical Approach  Minimize impact on leadership team  Bottom-up focus group input that is advisory  A concise plan  Integrated into governance structure  A key element of superintendent’s evaluation

8 A Logical Approach  Identify key Plan elements with Focus Groups  Compile data into a usable format  Produce a draft Plan for Sup/Board Review  Work with Board to develop Mission & Goals  Task Leadership: Strategies & an Action Plan

9 Process  District commits to a Plan Key stakeholder groups identified Focus group sessions conducted Responses compiled for Sup/Board review Mini-retreat held to formulate Mission/Goals

10 Focus Group Agenda  District purpose: “We are preparing our students for ______________.”  SWOT analysis  Purpose elements  Goal definition  Related strategies  Key take-aways

11 Focus Group Format  A reasonable size: participants  Effective scheduling  Effective outreach  Board member participation  Superintendent involvement

12 Making Sense of the Data  Responses tracked using Excel spreadsheets  Ranked by frequency of response  Executive summary, with sheets, to Sup  Sup review, edit and Board distribution

13 Definition of Plan Elements  Define key elements from focus group data  Board/Superintendent review/retreat meeting  Identify key elements: composite and by sub-group  Validate & prioritize

14 Mission, Vision & Goals  Develop/validate vision, mission & goals  Utilize focus group data appropriately  Distill to direct, concise statements: one page  Common voice & logical flow  Goals vs evidence-based foundational principles

15 Plan Adoption  An Iterative & Inclusive Process  Initial plan draft  Board review, comment, and edits  Iterative changes  Board approval  Tasking of strategies & action planning to district leadership

16 Strategies & Action Plans  Committee formation around goal & principle statements  Three-year strategies  One-year detailed action plan: timeframes & deliverables  Year 2 and 3 action plan elements: future development

17 Comprehensive Plan Adoption  Board review & approval of final plan  Incorporating mission, vision, & goals  Supported by strategies & action plans  With a defined roll-out process through PR support, press releases, etc.  Evidence-based review through Board meeting schedule

18 Summary  A Practical Approach  Extensive engagement of stakeholders  Achievable within reasonable timeframes  At reasonable cost  With tangible, ongoing benefits

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