Creating the future through strategic planning

By GARY FRENCH

Walt Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” This past fall, a group of 28 shareholders, representing the education, business and parental sectors of our community, joined forces as a strategic planning team to create the future of the Elizabethtown Independent School District. While these individuals possessed valuable intangible assets, expertise, leadership and experience, the capacity of their leadership in addition to their commitment to our school district gave purpose to the plan itself.

The EIS strategic planning team concluded its work with the development of a mission statement, vision statement and four strategic objectives.

Mission Statement: A Tradition of Excellence: High Standards, Each Student, Every Day

Vision Statement: The vision of the Elizabethtown Independent Schools is to ensure the following:

• Students who are motivated, challenged, and empowered to be lifelong learners prepared to succeed in a changing, diverse society.
• Parents who are active partners, equipped to participated in the learning process of each student
• A School District that is willing to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of each student and ensure each child’s educational and personal success.
• A Community that is an active partner in securing resources and tools that will assist each child in discovering his or her greatest potential.

Four Components of our Strategic Objectives:

• Interventions
• College and Career Readiness
• Family and Business Partnerships
• Quality Teacher in Every Classroom

The strategies for accomplishing each of the objectives were developed as a result of discussions from numerous strategic planning sessions, input from administrative and instructional meetings, and need requests submitted by our principals. The strategic plan was adopted Jan. 24 by the Board of Education and has been presented to each school’s faculty.

This plan defines what we want to achieve and identifies the best pathways to get us there. It is a professional commitment to provide clearer targets and a brighter future. Our plan has established professional boundaries that extend well beyond the walls of our schools. What is good for our community should also be good for the organization, therefore justifying our commitment, efforts, and obligations.

We are convinced that our strategic plan will create a better future for our students, families, community and the Elizabethtown Independent School District. “We dreamed it, and we will do it.”

Gary French is superintendent of the Elizabethtown Independent Schools.