Longview board hears student-centered plan to rewrite district strategic plan, agrees to begin scheduling

Dr. Tammy Campbell, founder of Scholars First, outlined a process Thursday for rewriting the Longview School District's strategic plan with students central to every stage and the goal of launching the new plan for the 2026-27 school year.

Campbell told the board of directors that her firm's approach emphasizes student voice, a concise set of district goals and a menu of research-based practices that schools will select and implement. "A good strategic plan should cause you to get better," she said, and showed examples districts use that read from the student perspective: "I belong. I believe. I learn." The district's current plan expires in 2026, Campbell said, making a refresh timely.

Board members and district leaders said they supported the approach. Several directors praised the emphasis on students and staff engagement and said the process should build ownership among the people who will implement the plan. Board director Jennifer said student voice and staff input are the most important elements for her; director Barb and others echoed that view. Student representative Brooklyn Stevens also spoke during the discussion, telling the board she values the proposed emphasis on student participation and confirming that student representatives will be included: "I am the student representative for Ari Long High School," she said when introducing herself.

Campbell described a multi-step schedule: focused listening sessions across the district, a graduate-profile team that includes students and board members, a larger instructional planning day where teachers identify actionable practices, and two finished versions of the plan (an internal implementation guide and a shorter external product for the public). Her team aims to have the plan ready to be launched in August or September 2026, with implementation products prepared for boards, administrators and building staff.

Board members asked about cost and timing. Director Barb asked whether there is a fee; Superintendent McConaughey said the district will negotiate a contract with Campbell but that the cost "is not known right now." Campbell said the standard process typically takes six to seven months of active work on the ground, and that the firm will tailor the timeline if the district requests more or fewer on-site sessions.

Campbell also described how students will be chosen for participation: "we want diverse participation in terms of grade, gender, programs," she said, and added that the listening work will include elementary, middle and high school students and a districtwide survey so everyone can participate. Board members discussed using existing student advisories at the district's comprehensive high schools and its alternative school as starting points.

Board members asked Campbell to proceed with calendaring and planning. Campbell said her next steps would be meetings with district leadership to set dates for listening sessions and to bring a presentation to building leaders. Superintendent McConaughey said staff will begin work on contract details and scheduling. No formal contract was approved at the meeting.

The board expressed unanimous support for starting the process, and Campbell said she will return with more detailed timelines and stakeholder engagement plans. District staff will present a draft timeline and proposed contract terms for future board review.

The district will post updates and engagement opportunities as they are scheduled so staff, students and community members can take part in the listening and drafting phases.