The Excelsior Springs School Board voted to approve Phase 1 of the district’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) executive summary after a presentation that summarized a three‑day planning retreat.

Presenters said the foundational work established shared convictions and a mission: "working together to explore passions and pursue opportunities for all learners through high-quality education and community collaboration." The retreat produced five strategic priorities: instruction and academic achievement; community relations and partnerships; quality staff recruitment and retention; facilities and operations; and student well-being. Measurable objectives include the goal that by 2031, 90 percent of students at district and building levels will achieve attendance rates above 90 percent.

Mr. Ruby and other presenters described next steps: a community kickoff (planned for late January), formation of five action groups open to unlimited community participation, co-leads drawn from staff and community, and a deadline in late April for those groups to draft action plans. The executive summary will return to the board for formal approval of the completed plan, targeted for May.

The motion to approve the CSIP executive summary passed by recorded vote 7-2-0. Board members praised wide community participation in the retreat and stressed the importance of diverse representation on strategy teams, including senior citizens, students and business leaders.

The board will receive the action-planning work in spring and vote on the full multi-year plan later this year.