Board reviews revised strategic plan and narrows options for student information system
Summary
The board heard a district presentation on a revised Hickman County strategic plan emphasizing instructional precision, targeted supports and communications, and staff outlined a review of student information system vendors with recommendations to return with pricing and a vote.
The Hickman County Board of Education spent a portion of its Jan. 12 meeting on a revised strategic plan and on options for a new student information system (SIS).
Miss Anderson (Speaker 6) presented the revisions to the district strategic plan, saying the updates sharpen focus on academic rigor, operational readiness, targeted student supports and enhanced communications. The presenter described transitions from broad goals to “actionable results” including aligning lesson plans to high‑quality instructional materials and exploring a behavioral/regional support program for students with significant needs.
Several board members urged more time to review. Unidentified Speaker 5 said the board should not approve a strategic plan until a director of schools is hired and suggested the final board statement be more concise and board‑level rather than an operational district plan. Speaker 4 and others recommended board retreat time and additional discussion before adoption.
On technology, district staff (Speaker 15) said the team is evaluating replacement options for Skyward and has narrowed the top two to Synergy and PowerSchool after meeting with teachers, counselors and technology staff. Speaker 15 said vendor pricing is pending, that Skyward is among the more expensive options, and that staff expect to present a recommendation and a timeline for training and implementation once pricing is received.
Board members scheduled additional review time during a planned pre‑meeting and retreat and directed staff to return with refined strategic language and a vendor recommendation ready for board action at a future meeting.
What’s next: The board will continue strategic‑plan review at the January 27 special call (and a retreat to be scheduled) and staff will return with vendor prices and an implementation timeline for the SIS selection.
