Board hears '80, 90, 100' strategic plan goals and current baselines; attendance target flagged as community priority

The Grand Island Public Schools Board received an overview of the district strategic plan at its Oct. 9 meeting, with Superintendent Matt Fisher framing the plan around three targets summarized as “80, 90, 100.”

Fisher said the 80% goal is a growth goal (not a proficiency target) and refers to 80% of students showing average or above growth between testing cycles. He described measures that will be used, including MAP growth and district benchmark data, and noted K–5 reading growth (DIBELS) at about 54% average or above and math growth that rose from 48% to 62% last year. The high school passing‑all‑classes measure is currently around 68% and would need to rise toward 80%.

The 90 goal reflects attendance: Fisher said the district is aiming for 90% of students to have 95% or better attendance (eight absences or fewer), and presented three‑year averages showing fewer than half of students currently meet that standard. He characterized attendance as both a school and community priority and said staff will engage community partners to address factors such as transportation and start times.

The 100 goal refers to every student having a plan for life after high school; Fisher said that outcome is a K–12 effort and that a learner profile will be developed to track relevant skills from early grades through graduation.

Board members asked clarifying questions about excused absences, data sources and alignment with the curriculum timeline; Fisher said the state’s definition of excused absences for reporting is narrow (school activities only), and encouraged community conversations around attendance as a shared responsibility.