RSU 14 leaders outline district goals, plan ThoughtExchange for strategic plan input

Superintendent Howell and district administrators presented the RSU 14 district goals for the 2025'26 year at the Aug. 27 school board meeting and described a plan to use an online platform, ThoughtExchange, to collect community, staff and student input for the district's next strategic plan.

Howell and curriculum staff said the district set three goal areas: (1) instructional framework implementation, with a target that "all schools and programs in the district will demonstrate measurable implementation of that framework" by June 2026 and an objective of 3'5% growth in math and literacy where measurable; (2) staff engagement, with each school implementing at least three measurable staff engagement initiatives; and (3) increasing student attendance by reducing chronic absenteeism to a district target of 95 percent (Howell cited a baseline of 93.46 percent).

Christine Hessler, curriculum staff, described implementation steps including common instructional design time, targeted professional development with "voice and choice," increased classroom walkthroughs and coaching cycles for teachers. Hessler said the district expects 90 percent participation in targeted professional development and plans to use state assessments where available and district-determined tools in grades and levels without state tests to measure the 3'5% targets.

Board members asked clarifying questions about measurement and implementation. Joe, a board member, asked why leaders selected a range of 3 to 5 percent instead of a single target and whether the district will use consistent measures year to year. Hessler replied that not all grade levels have state assessments and that the district will use consistent data points "where available," including state tests, PSAT/SAT, course-failure rates and attendance as appropriate.

On staff engagement and feedback, Howell and staff said they will use ThoughtExchange to solicit community, student and staff input for the strategic plan and for targeted feedback on policies or issues. Howell described ThoughtExchange as a moderated platform that removes identifying information and filters profanity and said the district will distribute participation links primarily via ParentSquare and district communications. Hessler said the district aims to launch community prompts in late October or early November and to collect student and staff feedback ahead of drafting the next strategic plan (the current strategic plan expires in August 2026).

Board members raised procedural questions about data access and ownership. Jody asked whether raw data would be accessible for independent analysis; Howell said he would research how raw data is provided and confirmed the district would own the data and have access. March asked about outreach to residents who are not parents and Howell said links could be posted on the district website and in local publications in addition to ParentSquare.

Superintendent Howell described the goals and the ThoughtExchange plan as part of broader monitoring and implementation work rather than final policy changes. The board did not take a formal vote on the district goals at the Aug. 27 meeting; the goals will be posted on the district website and staff said they will return with progress reports and additional detail on measurement and reporting.