Manassas Park Education Association praises staff collaboration and announces strategic planning process

The Manassas Park City Schools Board meeting on September 19, 2022, highlighted significant strides in educational support and strategic planning, aiming to enhance the learning environment for students and staff alike.

Librarian and Manassas Park Education Association President, Mrs. Hayden, opened the meeting with praises for the recent Professional Learning Academy, which fostered collaboration among staff. She expressed gratitude for the newly implemented teacher salary scale, emphasizing its potential to attract and retain quality educators, a critical need as staff morale faces challenges amid increasing workloads.

The meeting also marked the initiation of a comprehensive strategic planning process, led by Ms. Pam Kelso. Dr. Saunders underscored the importance of this planning, especially in the wake of the pandemic, stating, "There’s no better time than now to think about what the future holds." The strategic plan will involve input from various stakeholders, including students, staff, and community members, to ensure it meets the needs of the district effectively.

Ms. Kelso detailed the collaboration with three consulting groups—K-12 Insight, Hanover Research, and Education Elements—each offering unique services for data collection and strategic plan development. Education Elements was chosen for its comprehensive approach, including the ability to produce a professional plan and provide ongoing support for implementation and progress monitoring.

The board anticipates presenting an initial strategic plan by April or May 2023, with final approval expected in June. This proactive approach aims to lay a solid foundation for continuous improvement in the district, ensuring that student achievement remains a top priority.

As the meeting concluded, the board expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in shaping the educational landscape. The strategic planning process is set to begin soon, with updates expected in the coming months.