Board approves Phase 3 of strategic plan, turning five‑year pillars into annual action steps

The Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education approved Phase 3 of the district’s strategic planning process on July 16, which formalizes the annual action plans that implement the district’s five‑year strategic pillars. Superintendent Shannon Murray told the board Phase 1 and Phase 2 work — mission, vision, SWOT and strategic objectives — were already approved at prior meetings and that Phase 3 produces the public‑facing brochure and the annual continuous performance plan that translates pillars into one‑year action steps. In the coming year the district will focus on high‑impact instructional strategies, a district instructional playbook, deeper work on student engagement and expanded community engagement (including scaling the Community Education program). The motion — made by board member Mike Hornisher and seconded by board member Nussashbeck — passed by voice vote after discussion. Murray displayed the alignment from the five‑year plan to the annual plan and to hundred‑day and 15‑day challenge cycles used for instructional improvement. Board members asked clarifying questions about how one‑year cycles tie to building practice and measurement. Murray said administrators will do brief “look‑fors” and walkthroughs, record results and share school‑ and district‑level feedback to support improvement cycles rather than as punitive individual evaluations. The plan approved July 16 will guide the district’s work through November (the next hundred‑day plan cycle) and serve as the basis for proposed initiatives in instruction, staff well‑being, facilities and operations.