Mega Issues facing the Colstrip School District

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Over the past several years a number of changes (economic and otherwise) have taken place in our community. Some of these changes are of strategic importance and have been identified as mega issues by the School Board of Trustees.

With that in mind, the Board of Trustee would like to invite the community to join them on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 starting at 5:30 PM in the Board Room located in Frank Brattin Middle School to review current mega issues and identify new issues that are impediments to the School District and its Envisioned Future.

WHAT ARE MEGA ISSUES?

Mega issues are issues of strategic importance, which represent choices the school district will need to make in defining the ultimate direction of its long-range plan.  These issues represent potential impediments to achievement of the Envisioned Future and form a basis for dialogue about the choices facing the School District. Using a knowledge-based approach in gathering insights relative to Colstrip Schools’ strategic position and directional choices for each of the issues, these questions can serve as an ongoing "menu" of strategic issues and can be used by the Board to create regular opportunities for strategic dialogue about the future issues facing the school district.

Mega-Issue Questions:

How do we fully integrate and align our schools, our curriculum and our programs at all levels to ensure that we have interconnectedness at all levels and that students are transitioning seamlessly?

In light of the anticipation that 40% of our staff will be of retirement age in 5-10 years, what do we need to do to ensure that we are attracting and retaining highly qualified staff to meet the needs of our students now and into the future?  

How do we ensure that we are utilizing available and contemporary technological equipment and applications that enhance our students’ learning opportunities?

Knowledge-Based Decision Making Process

In addressing identified mega-issues that have the potential of impeding the School District’s ability to achieve the Envisioned Future, Colstrip Public Schools is committed to applying a knowledge-based decision making process.  The framework for this process in addressing and finding solutions to the mega-issues identified above is as follows:  

Question #1 – What do we know our students’ / parents’ / community’s / needs, wants and preferences that is relevant to this decision?

Question #2 – What do we know about the current realities and evolving dynamics of our community that is relevant to this decision?

Question #3 – What do we know about the capacity and strategic position of the Colstrip Public Schools that is relevant to this decision?

Question #4 – What are the ethical implications of our choices?

MORE ABOUT STRATEGIC PLANNING

Three-to-Five-Year Planning Horizon

Outcome-Oriented Goals and Strategic Objectives

The following thinking represents goals for the next five years. They are areas in which Colstrip Public Schools will explicitly state the conditions or attributes it wants to achieve. These outcome statements will define, "what will constitute future success." The achievement of each goal will move the school district toward realization of its Envisioned Future.

Strategic Objectives provide direction and actions on how the school district will accomplish its articulated goals.  All strategies included in the strategic plan should be considered accomplishable at some point in the future.  Strategic Objectives are reviewed annually by the Colstrip School Board, Staff Leadership Team, and faculty.

Goals of the Colstrip School District

Goal Area 1: Academic Improvement  

Statement of Intended Outcome, Five years:  Colstrip Public Schools has set a high academic bar with a one-hundred percent graduation rate.  We have established an educational program which meets the individual needs of students and allows students to progress according to their individual capabilities.     

One to Two Year Strategic Objectives:

1. We will increase rigor and expectations in core academic areas that are an important foundation for our students.
2. We will enhance opportunities for students in the areas of leadership, volunteerism and community service.
3. We will enhance our positive behavioral supports to increase student awareness of acceptable social skills.
4. We will enhance opportunities for students to be innovative and take part in project-based learning initiatives.
5. We will improve the alignment of our schools, our curriculum and our programs.  
6. We will enhance our recruitment and retention incentives and promote the positive attributes of our school and our community in an effort to attract and retain highly qualified staff for the success of our students.  

Goal Area 2: Fiscal Prioritization/Innovation

Statement of Intended Outcome, Five years:  Colstrip Public Schools has a fiscal prioritization plan and a plan/model for other methods of providing adequate funding of Colstrip Public Schools and its programs.

One to Two Year Strategic Objectives:

1.     We will enhance our school facilities to ensure that they meet the contemporary needs of our staff and students and promote student success.  

2.     We will increase the energy efficiency of our buildings, vehicles and other District property.

3.     We will enhance our efforts to more innovative in seeking out and tapping into a variety of both human and financial resources.

4.     We will enhance our advocacy for adequate funding at the federal, state and local levels.  

Goal Area 3: Community Involvement/Engagement

Statement of Intended Outcome, Five Years:    Colstrip Public Schools has created an environment of collaboration with families of students and with other educational stakeholders in the community.  As a result, the community is engaged educationally and interactively in the school environment.  Partnerships vital to the academic success and well-being of our students have been formed with educational stakeholders to assist the District in the delivery of our educational programs.      

One to Two Year Strategic Objectives:

1. We will provide enhanced opportunities for the staff to educate the Board and the community about the great things/initiatives that are being carried out in our schools.
2. We will provide enhanced opportunities to increase the community’s understanding of school funding and the financial needs of the District.
3. We will enhance our opportunities to recognize and show our appreciation for our staff and others who positively impact students and/or provide enhanced learning opportunities for our students.

Goal Area 4: Safe and Healthy Environment for Students and Staff

Statement of Intended Outcome, Five Years:  Colstrip Public Schools has systems in place to ensure that students and staff thrive in a safe and healthy environment.  We have established collaborative and cooperative relationships with outside organizations/support groups which assist students in dealing with social issues which are an impediment to student achievement.

One to Two Year Strategic Objectives:

1. We will enhance our wellness programs for our students and staff.  
2. We will increase the awareness of our students, staff, parents and community on the harmful effects of bullying and harassment and other barriers to student success.
3. We will enhance the security and safety of our buildings.  

Goal Area 5: Technology

Statement of Intended Outcome, Five Years:  Colstrip Public Schools has incorporated technology into all aspects of its educational offerings in such a manner as to prepare our students for a global environment.  We have done this in a systematic manner to ensure that our staff are comfortably utilizing technology through professional development opportunities and that our students are benefiting from the use of technology and other advancements, while at the same time educating students and staff about the ethical and accountability issues associated with the use of technology.

One to Two Year Strategic Objectives:

1. We will enhance opportunities for staff to become proficient in technology equipment and applications that enhance student learning.
2. We will provide enhanced opportunities to make technology equipment and applications that directly relate to our students and/or enhanced learning opportunities available to students, parents and community members.
3. We will increase opportunities for students to utilize contemporary technology devices and application to enhance student learning.  

Goal Area 6: Recognition of/incorporation of American Indian culture

Statement of Intended Outcome, Five Years:   Colstrip Public Schools has been successful at both recognizing American Indian Culture and incorporating such culture into the curriculum. Students and staff understand and embrace diversity of our citizens and show a genuine appreciation for having the benefit of learning and understanding the importance of American Indian Culture.

One to Two Year Strategic Objectives:

1. We will provide enhanced opportunities for American Indian involvement in the decision-making and governance processes of our school district.
2. We will enhance the integration and coordination of the American Indian culture into all aspects of our educational opportunities for students, staff, parents and community members.
3. We will increase student, staff, parent and community awareness of, appreciation for and celebration of our American Indian culture.

COME JOIN US! October 24, 2018

5:30 PM at Frank Brattin Middle School: Board Conference Room