Cuyahoga Falls school leaders outline four-year strategic plan focused on ‘‘culture of caring,’’ facilities and instruction

Cuyahoga Falls City Schools administrators on Wednesday outlined a draft strategic plan that they said will guide district work through about 2028, centering goals on a "culture of caring," financial stewardship and student achievement.

The plan, developed by cabinet members with input from the Summit County Educational Service Center, sets three headline goals administrators abbreviated as C-F-S: create a culture of caring, facilitate the financial future and steer student achievement, district leaders said.

At a presentation to the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Selico said the plan is intended to be a fluid, multiyear framework: "At the heart of our mission is the commitment to create an environment that fosters growth, opportunity, and success for all," she said. The district engaged a consultant from the Summit County ESC and stakeholders during the fall, she added, and administrators translated that feedback into goals, measurable objectives and action steps for board consideration.

Why it matters: Board members said the plan will shape budgeting, staffing and facilities decisions around the new 6-12 campus and other capital priorities. Several members asked for a dedicated work session to dig into measurable targets and timelines before adopting the document.

What administrators presented: Under "culture of caring," officials said they will sustain the Black Tiger Family Center, expand support for student physical and mental health, improve attendance and enhance threat-assessment and emergency reunification procedures. Mr. Elder, the lead presenter for that goal area, invoked Maslow's hierarchy of needs in explaining the approach, saying basic physiological and safety needs must be met before students can engage academically.

On facilities and finance, the treasurer's team proposed a five-year capital-improvement plan, a public-facing annual facilities report and a capital-planning committee to set priorities and recommend dedicated revenue options. "A big action step here is creating that five-year capital improvement plan," Treasurer Christy Stokoi told the board.

Instruction and student achievement priorities include expanding universal screening and progress-monitoring within an RTI/MTSS framework, deepening teacher clarity and assessment practice, continuing state-aligned literacy work, and strengthening programs that prepare students for employment, enlistment or postsecondary education.

Board response: Board members praised the breadth of the draft but asked for greater specificity on measurable targets, how district-level strategies tie to classroom differentiation and how personalized instruction will be implemented alongside MTSS. Several members urged a separate work session to review objectives and performance measures before a formal board adoption vote.

Next steps: Administrators said the plan will remain a working document; they will return with revisions and recommended metrics. Several board members asked staff to schedule a focused work session so trustees can provide more detailed direction and approve final measures.