Superintendent Hardesty presented a four‑goal draft for 2025–26 that he said is grounded in the district strategic plan and is intended to guide priorities for instruction, student supports, fiscal decisions and communications.

"Each year, the superintendent goals are supposed to be based on the strategic plan that the county develops," Hardesty said, and he outlined goals for achievement and growth; student support and school safety; financial resources and transparency; and communication and community engagement. The draft ties measurements to i‑Ready benchmarks, PSAT/SAT and the General Summative Assessment (GSA) and includes walk‑through data and targeted professional development as strategies to improve classroom instruction.

Goal‑one strategies include beginning‑of‑year diagnostic assessments for K–8 in reading (with math diagnostics added in the draft), additional midyear diagnostics to measure growth, and focused interventions in early grades with the aim of increasing third‑grade proficiency. Hardesty described a new district walk‑through form linked to state standards that administrators and the board can review.

The student‑support goal highlights wrap‑around services: psychologists, social workers, community‑in‑school (CIS) coordinators, PBIS and school‑based mental‑health services, plus an emphasis on facility maintenance and school safety. Financial goals call for monthly financial updates to the board, a balanced FY27 budget for board approval and alignment of staffing to student needs. Communication goals include advisory councils, expanded use of district communication tools, a marketing plan and coordination with regional partners.

Hardesty proposed a board work session in early October (ahead of second‑month enrollment reporting) to review enrollment, HOPE scholarship and homeschool impacts on district finances and to continue development of a district marketing plan. Board members spoke in favor of developing the marketing plan to showcase district successes such as AP exam participation and results; one board member said the district pays for AP exams to ensure access and noted district performance above global averages.

The plan remains a draft for board input; no formal vote was taken.