Superintendent: strategic plan moving into implementation; board approves curriculum and virtual school policies

Superintendent Dr. Hammock told the Beech Grove City Schools board Sept. 9 that the district has moved from adoption into early implementation of its newly released strategic plan. The administration has created four goal‑area task forces — leading teaching and learning; community engagement and communication; wellness and belonging; and leadership and development — each with a designated facilitator and a committee of six to ten members.

Dr. Hammock said the task forces have met twice since the start of the school year to plan cadence and agendas and will meet on a regular schedule through the school year to advance identified strategies. The district is partnering with Education Elements to administer a fall and spring survey of parents, students, staff and community members; Dr. Hammock said the survey results will help measure implementation progress and support reporting required by the Lilly Endowment.

Later in the meeting the board voted to approve curriculum materials the superintendent said are required under state law — the curriculum labeled “I Decide for Me” — and to post the materials online as required. The superintendent said the board had been given the materials in advance and that the policy requires approval and online posting.

The board also approved the student handbook, attendance policy and enrollment policy for the Indiana Digital Learning School, a virtual program the district is implementing in partnership with K12 Virtual Schools; two representatives from the virtual program, Todd McIntyre and Liz Swagger, attended the meeting to introduce themselves and answer questions.

Board members received notice that the district will provide quarterly updates on strategic plan implementation; Dr. Hammock said the next update will be at the December board meeting.