Vermillion board reviews strategic plan, highlighting academics, attendance and teacher development
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Ali told the board the district has advanced several strategic goals — from academics and CTE to attendance and data systems — and proposed next steps including professional development, a possible middle‑school summer program and further collaboration with USD and community partners.
The Vermillion School District 13‑1 board on Jan. 12 received a detailed progress report on the district’s strategic plan, with Superintendent Dr. Ali outlining completed initiatives, ongoing work and next steps across academics, student support and staff development.
Dr. Ali told the board the strategic planning process began roughly 18 months ago with surveys of staff, students and the community and outside facilitation to distill priorities. “Some of them are complete, and we felt like we've done a really good job and gotten to the point where we could say that we've successfully completed that,” he said, describing goals that range from handbook reviews to expanded career and technical education offerings.
Why it matters: the plan identifies concrete changes the district says will affect instruction, student transitions and support services. Dr. Ali highlighted an ongoing emphasis on ensuring consistent handbooks and better coordination between elementary, middle and high schools; staff are meeting quarterly at the high school level and principals are leading grade‑level reviews.
The superintendent said the district has introduced programs such as Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) — supported by a grant — to help first‑generation college students navigate postsecondary options. He also described curricular and schedule work, including work on a 4x4 block scheduling model and training for new staff: administrators plan mentoring for first‑ and second‑year teachers and targeted in‑service sessions to build skills.
Dr. Ali described efforts to improve data systems and attendance tracking through a unified use of Infinite Campus so student histories follow across buildings. On the district’s Attendance Matters campaign he said staff have taken practical steps to get students to school, from making phone calls to buying alarm clocks for families in need: “We’ve bought alarm clocks for kids,” he said, citing direct outreach to families as part of the effort.
Other items discussed included: restroom and facility improvements recently completed by Walker Construction; plans for a smaller, school‑based “Let Grow” project to promote collaboration and life skills; and a proposal to pilot a middle‑school summer program focused on academic recovery and promotion decisions. Dr. Ali said more formal proposals — including costs and engagement strategies for a middle‑school summer session — will be brought to the board in the coming month.
Board members asked about lessons learned from the strategic planning process and whether the district would again hire outside facilitation. Dr. Ali said the initial outside voice was valuable but that the district could consider replicating the model internally in future cycles.
The board did not take action on the strategic plan itself at this meeting; Dr. Ali and staff will continue implementation and return with follow‑up items as needed.