Board debates size and composition of strategic-plan core team; staff to consult facilitator and finalize list

The Watchung Hills Regional High School District’s strategic planning committee reviewed a proposed timeline and a draft core-team list for a fall strategic-plan process and the full board debated how many board members and students should serve on the core team.

The committee proposed a timeline with internal data-gathering beginning over the summer, a stakeholder kickoff session scheduled for Sept. 3 from 6:30–8:30 p.m., five core-team planning sessions between September and November, and a target date of Dec. 9 for board approval of goals. The draft core-team list included administrators, teachers, counselors, one high-school student, parents and non-parent residents and two board-member slots. Several board members urged increasing board participation to four members so the board would be more actively engaged: “It’s our plan,” a board member said, adding that board members should be “very much more involved.” Others cautioned that adding many board members could make some community participants feel intimidated and suggested ground rules and an emphasis on listening for board members during core-team meetings.

Board members also discussed student representation: one comment asked whether a single student slot was sufficient and urged adding at least one more student to avoid intimidation and to represent different grade cohorts. The administration said it will consult the facilitator about optimal core-team size and composition and will aim to balance municipal representation (two participants per sending town among parents/non-parent residents). If the board approves changes, administration said it will finalize the core team and begin outreach and surveys over the summer.

The board will revisit the core-team roster and any requested adjustments at future committee and board meetings before the fall kickoff.