The Tecumseh Public Schools administration presented Year 4 objectives of its strategic plan Aug. 25, outlining proposed work across academics, learning environment, operations, personnel and communications. Superintendent Matthew Hilton said the district will consider whether to update the full strategic plan and is exploring a new community‑driven process early next year.
In academics, district staff proposed developing and securing approval for a new high‑school business course that aligns to state standards and leverages local business partners. Curriculum staff said they will take the course framework through the district curriculum committee; staff estimated a typical course adoption process takes about one academic year before student enrollment.
Career‑readiness goals include rolling out a “soft skills” certification in English 12 and piloting digital micro‑modules that award badges and certificates. Staff described an option called “Bring Your A Game” tied to local internships and mock interviews and said the ISD (intermediate school district) has explored broader platforms with hundreds of short modules that could create shareable student credentials.
In learning environment and culture, staff said they will examine the middle‑school master schedule to add built‑in time for targeted interventions, enrichment and independent practice, and expand student leadership groups across elementary, middle and high school with a mechanism for those groups to report to staff and the board.
Operations objectives emphasize continued evaluation and prioritization of capital projects in a volatile construction market, a multi‑phased approach to building safety and security upgrades—and more transparent communications about infrastructure investment. The operations team flagged projects such as card access expansions, PA/clock system updates and federally requested filter/drinking‑water work.
On personnel and leadership, the district plans a structured offboarding process including consistent exit interviews and ongoing job‑description updates to support role clarity and succession planning. Board members expressed interest in a future discussion on succession planning for key administrative roles.
For communications and engagement, the district will expand short video spotlights (“This Is Us” and alumni pieces), create a branding kit for consistent logos and messaging, and revisit the district slogan “Every Student, Every Day.” Hilton said he consulted Debbie Stair from the Michigan Association of School Boards, who recommended launching a renewed strategic‑planning process—rather than a minor update—given recent leadership changes and the sinking fund vote; the district expects to bring a proposal back to the board with a proposed kickoff after the new year.
Board members discussed expanding recruitment for strategic‑plan community participants beyond trustee networks, using surveys to solicit volunteers and including non‑parent residents, staff and students. Superintendent Hilton said he will work with MASB and return with a proposed timeline and participant‑recruitment plan.