The Humboldt Unified School District Board worked through competing word choices and settled on a short draft vision during a special board retreat, refining a working line to: “Equipping all students to excel in their pursuit of academic achievement.”

Board members said they wanted a concise, aspirational headline the district can use publicly and in strategic planning. “If you go back and look at our meetings, we don't spend that much time focusing on student outcomes,” Board Member Walker (Vice President Maizon) said during discussion; others echoed the desire to center the district’s aim on measurable student learning.

Superintendent Dr. Griffin led the session and asked trustees to highlight language they preferred from dozens of sample statements. Board members debated words such as “world class,” “rigor,” “compete,” and “equip,” with several saying they wanted language that reflects local community values rather than generic slogans. Board Member Dellinger framed the board’s role: “We are here for students in representation of the people who elected us.”

Trustees tested several shorter candidates at the meeting and converged on the draft above. The board did not adopt a final, legally binding vision statement; members asked staff to bring a polished version back for review and possible adoption after additional wordsmithing and outreach.

Directions given at the retreat included continuing independent book study for board development, circulating alternative phrasings by board email, and asking staff to prepare a shortlist of final options for a future meeting. Dr. Griffin said staff would “send out a board update” and return a refined statement for approval on a later agenda.

The board’s next step is for staff to prepare a short list of finalized language and to include the endorsed vision in the district’s strategic planning calendar.