Board approves RFP for new strategic plan, saying process will be community-driven

The Lynchburg City School Board voted 8–1 on Monday to issue a request for proposals to hire an outside consultant to lead a new strategic planning process for the division. The current division plan, presented as the five-year Road Map to Student Success, has been extended through recent years and the RFP seeks an inclusive, forward-looking update. Superintendent Doctor Majette told the board the intent is to secure an unbiased partner who will engage board members, staff, students, parents and community stakeholders in a 360-degree process. Board members asked whether the RFP meant starting from scratch; several said they favored retaining useful elements of the current plan while ensuring the consultant gathers wide input and avoids “reinventing the wheel.” The vote on the RFP was 8 in favor, 1 opposed. The roll call recorded Mister Baron, Mister Eileen, Missus Lawrie, Mister Connor, Doctor Gupta, Mister DePaul, Doctor Farmer and Mister Poe voting yes; Mister Jaleel voted no. The board chair said the process will include community input and be open to any qualified vendor through the RFP process. Board members discussed timing and the role of a consultant in synthesizing input in an objective manner; Superintendent Majette said district staff will work with the selected contractor to ensure stakeholders across the community are invited to participate. The RFP authorization allows the district to begin collecting proposals and advance to vendor selection and an inclusive strategic-planning schedule.