Hampton City Schools on Dec. 3 presented the process and early priorities that will shape its next five-year strategic plan, scheduled to run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. John Cardiano said state code requires local school divisions to adopt a comprehensive multi-year plan and outlined a schedule of stakeholder engagement: internal planning began in August 2025; listening sessions, focus groups and surveys will continue through February 2026; draft goals and performance measures will be shared with stakeholders in March 2026; and the board will review and vote on the final plan in June 2026.

Dr. Jennifer Oliver summarized feedback from the division's Nov. 13 Community Priorities Workshop, attended by about 100 participants. She said recurring themes included greater supports for military-connected students facing deployment-related stress and relocation; clearer, more flexible dual-enrollment pathways that show every route to an associate degree (dual enrollment, CTE, AP, governor's school); and barriers to family literacy engagement such as work schedules and transportation.

Oliver said the 2031 vision emphasizes "clear student pathways" to college and career credentials, two-way multilingual family engagement, evolving school-safety systems (including AI-supported monitoring), strengthened industry partnerships in academies, and expanded staff recruitment and retention efforts. She said the planning team will synthesize feedback, draft measurable goals, and return to the board during a February 2026 work session with results from the current plan and proposed priorities for the next plan.

Board members praised the organization and clarity of the consolidated workshop findings. Member Miss Cherry highlighted the need for "genuine two-way communication" with families; Chair Doctor Mason and other members emphasized using data to set measurable goals. The board will continue focus groups and surveys through February and expects to receive a draft for review in time for the June vote.