Greece CSD outlines three-year process to redesign district strategic plan
Summary
Superintendent Smalene and district staff described a three-year timeline to replace the district's current strategic plan, beginning with a 2025'26 preparation year, development in 2026'27 and a rollout in 2027'28, and called for broad advisory participation.
Superintendent Smalene told the Board of Education of the Greece Central School District that the district will begin a three-year process to design a new five-year strategic plan, with the goal of adopting the plan in time for the 2027'28 school year.
The superintendent said the first year (2025'26) will be a preparation year to gather data and stakeholder feedback; 2026'27 will be the development year to draft mission, vision and measurable commitments; and 2027'28 will be the launch and implementation year, with professional development and school improvement plans aligned to the new strategy.
The plan will be developed through two organized teams: an advisory committee of board members, administrators, staff, students, parents and community members that will meet monthly, and a smaller core team of district leaders to plan and synthesize material for the advisory group. The district plans outreach including a student leadership summit, community "partners in progress" sessions, ThoughtExchange surveys and focus groups to collect input.
David Blawitz, a teacher and district facilitator leading the strategic work, said the process will center on what he described as a "power story" approach: clarifying individual values, uniting stakeholders and articulating a compelling "story of now" to motivate shared effort. "We're going to start this year thinking about where are we now, and then think about where we want to go and how we'll get there," Blawitz said.
Board members asked about how the district will identify emerging trends and keep the full board informed as the plan develops. Board member Bullard asked specifically how the district would identify "emerging trends in education demographics." Smalene said the district will consult outside research partners such as Hanover and examine national and regional practice; the district will also analyze internal workforce and demographic data to ensure the plan is realistic given staffing and capacity constraints. "We have to pay attention to that because we could have a vision, but we also need certified staff to actually go down that path," Smalene said.
Board members will be invited to participate on the advisory committee and will receive periodic updates through study sessions and retreats. The district plans to return to the board by the end of the 2025 calendar year with an update on advisory committee formation and early findings.
The district framed the effort as a renewal of a living document that will guide decisions, professional learning and school improvement work for the next five-year horizon.
