At the Sept. 25 meeting of the Lake Forest Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Lucas delivered the district's semiannual strategic-plan update and presented results from last year's climate survey, contracted through the Delaware Department of Education.

Dr. Lucas said the district's top priorities remain academic student success, partnerships with families and community, and improving facilities and school climate. He cited specific targets for the current year, stating the district aims to increase math proficiency to at least 36 percent and to raise English/language-arts proficiency to roughly 46 percent. He said the district is closer to being fully staffed than it has been in recent years and noted additions to CTE programming, including a teacher academy, computer apps and ag structures, with a planned JROTC program subject to approvals.

The superintendent reviewed a SWOT analysis used to shape priorities: strengths included personnel and aligned curricular materials; weaknesses included hard-to-fill secondary teaching positions and the district's reliance on state capital funding. He noted that certificates of necessity (the state capital-funding pathway) have not been approved recently and said aging buildings 9— including Chipman and other facilities approaching 100 years 9—remain a concern.

On the climate survey, Dr. Lucas summarized that the district administered nine survey instruments (student, staff and home surveys) and that responses were largely favorable compared with prior years. He reported that Lake Forest North and Lake Forest South staff responses were both 100 percent favorable in the briefing and that many staff and home categories showed favorable ratings. He said principals will break the data down to identify localized improvement steps.

Board members commented on the "Spartan for Life" branding and praised staff and community engagement; no formal board action was taken on the strategic plan during this meeting.