Board backs Portrait-of-a-Graduate work, agrees to fold into strategic planning

District staff presented the Portrait-of-a-Graduate initiative and recommended integrating it into the district's strategic planning. The presenter summarized outcomes from two industry focus-group meetings that identified five priority skill areas employers say are increasingly important: communication and interpersonal skills; critical thinking and problem solving; self-management and personal responsibility; continuous learning and coachability; and digital literacy and adaptability. The presenter said businesses provided local context and that the work produced immediate partnerships, including placement of two youth apprenticeships and offers to help instructors understand industry needs.

The board discussed how the portrait would be used in planning, repeatedly emphasizing measurable outcomes. One board member said many strategic plans use vague language and recommended SMART goals; another warned that past plans were not fully implemented. The motion on the table — to continue the Portrait-of-a-Learner process following the proposed timeline and to incorporate it into the strategic plan — was moved, seconded, and passed after discussion. As described in the meeting, further steps include staff and student engagement on Jan. 19, a parent feedback night in February, additional industry review, and a board retreat to analyze data and adopt the portrait and related strategic actions.

Board members were clear that statutory graduation requirements would remain unchanged and that the portrait work focuses on instructional practices and measurable skill development rather than altering course credits. The presenter said: "We're not at no point suggesting that skills and mindsets ... are replacing anything academic. They go side by side." (Tom.) The board voted to continue the process and to invite board participation in upcoming sessions and debriefs.