Burlington School District’s Strategic Plan
Have questions or want to be engaged in the process? Email: burlingtonstrategicplan@gmail.com
Strategic Planning Committee Update
November 2024
Burlington School District’s Community-driven Strategic Plan’s “strategic direction” phase is well underway. Our consultants, Cheri Wrench and Susan Meek, met with the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) in October for two full-days in a collaborative planning session. This diverse group of stakeholders included 28 individuals, which were roughly 20% students, 20% families, 20% community members, and 40% staff members. They answered several key questions that produced amazing results.
The following key questions were answered by the Strategic Planning Committee:
What values and beliefs are central to delivering education in the Burlington School District? This resulted in the Values & Belief Statements that will be included in the Strategic Plan.
What characteristics do we want to commit to valuing and teaching within the Burlington School District? This resulted in a Portrait of a Learner.
What changes, if any, are recommended to the Burlington School District mission statement in order to reflect the values, beliefs, and portrait of a learner elements identified? The feedback on the Mission Statement from the Committee will be made available to the Board of Education for their consideration.
What do we want to see in place in 3 to 5 years as a result of our work? This resulted in the Practical Vision that will be included in the Strategic Plan.
What is blocking us from moving toward our vision? The Committee spent time brainstorming areas that may be challenges or barriers to keeping the District to achieving the Practical Vision.
What innovative, substantial actions will deal with the underlying contradictions and move us toward our vision? This resulted in three Strategic Directions that will drive the Strategic Plan.
A few highlights from participants included:
Student voice was highly valued and the most important part of the SPC process.
Participants were excited, cautiously optimistic, and hopeful that the strategic planning process is moving the District in the right direction.
Participants appreciated the communication and connecting with District leadership.
Participants felt their voices were heard and are supportive of this process.
This was a great first step and participants want to continue the work.
Community Engagement Report
Click on the Community Engagement Report below to see what we learned from reaching out to the community! This feedback was central to the work of the Strategic Planning Committee and helped the Strategic Planning Committee develop recommendations that reflect the needs and priorities of the Burlington community.
Executive Summary
Read the Executive Summary linked HERE.
Strategic Planning Timeline
Project Plan
Date | Topic | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
June 2024 | Planning and Design | Interest Survey |
Aug 2024 | Engagement | Community Survey |
Sep 2024 | Engagement | Focus Groups |
Oct 2024 | Engagement | |
Oct 2024-Nov 2024 | Strategic Direction | |
Nov 2024-Mar 2025 | Implementation | Leadership Team Planning is underway |
Apr 2025 | Implementation | Strategic Plan (internal release) |
Aug 2025 | Implementation | Strategic Plan (public release |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a school district community-driven strategic planning process?
A: A strategic plan is a roadmap to the district’s future. A strategic planning process is a systematic approach used by school districts to identify priorities, set goals, and determine how to allocate resources to achieve those goals over the next several years.
Q: Who participates in the strategic planning process?
A: The strategic planning process involves a diverse group of stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, staff, families, students, and community members.
Q: Why is it important for stakeholders to participate in the community-driven strategic planning process?
A: Stakeholders should participate in the strategic planning process to ensure that the resulting plan reflects the needs and priorities of the community. By involving stakeholders, the plan is more likely to be effective and successful.
Q: What are the benefits of having a community-driven strategic planning process?
A: The benefits of a community-driven strategic planning process include improved student outcomes, accountability, community engagement, resource allocation, and long-term planning. In fact, the very future of Burlington depends on how well we educate our next generation of leaders and contributors.
Q: What are some common components of a strategic plan?
A: Some common components of a strategic plan include a mission statement, goals and objectives, action steps, timelines, and measures of success.
Q: How is progress monitored and evaluated in the strategic plan?
A: Progress is monitored and evaluated through regular reporting and review of key performance indicators, such as student growth and achievement, graduation rates, and attendance rates.