Board approves Cambrian strategic‑planning contract to update five‑year plan

The Excelsior Springs R‑II School Board on a 7–0 vote approved a contract with the Cambrian group to lead a district strategic‑planning process intended to produce a new five‑year strategic plan.

The district recommended the contract as a follow‑up to a work session held the previous week. The presenter said renewing the strategic plan is “mandated by the state this year because our five‑year plan expires at the end of this year” and described a multi‑phase process that includes training an internal facilitator, convening a district strategic planning committee (20–30 people), and forming four to six action teams to craft measurable steps and resource allocations.

Administrators emphasized community participation and a roughly 50/50 split between school personnel and community members in the district planning committee. The plan timeline presented called for initial pillars and critical issues to be drafted before winter break and returned to the board in December or January, with action‑team work through spring and presentation of a full plan for board approval.

Board members asked about community outreach and selection of committee members. The presenter said the district will provide ways for community members to “raise their hand” and volunteer, distribute information through newsletters, the website and PTA, and invite representatives from the ministerial alliance, local businesses, and city government. Board members emphasized the need for diverse membership and for follow‑up so the plan does not “sit on a shelf.”

The board moved and approved the contract in open session. Board members Jill and Tracy were identified as the motion maker and seconder during the meeting record.

The contract is budgeted in the district’s current fiscal plan; district staff said they negotiated a reduced rate with the vendor and that the cost was already included in the approved budget for the year.

What happens next: the district will identify internal and external facilitators, recruit committee and action‑team members, train co‑leaders, and schedule a series of meetings for committee drafting and public engagement. The presenter said action‑team meetings would run several times between January and April and will include staff, parents and community members.

An item of note from the public discussion: board members stressed they expect regular follow‑up and quarterly review so the strategic plan guides budget and operational decisions rather than being an unimplemented document.