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Sto-Rox SD leader outlines priorities: culture, curriculum, MTSS, special-education fixes and increased testing
Summary
Sonya, the district presenter, framed a turnaround strategy emphasizing leadership capacity, a six-goal recovery roadmap, two immediate academic priorities, expanded MAP testing (about 96% coverage), adoption of Lexia and ALEKS interventions, and steps to rebuild special-education compliance and business operations.
Sonya, who led the district presentation, traced her personal path into education and used that background to frame a set of operational priorities for Sto-Rox SD.
She said the district will pursue six overarching goals as part of a five-year strategic recovery plan but has identified two immediate priorities for the current year: (1) raise academic achievement through a differentiated, rigorous and aligned curriculum and (2) build a robust professional-development structure so teachers and leaders can deliver that curriculum. "When we plan, when you don't plan, you plan to fail," Sonya said, describing the plan as a system meant to be actively monitored and refined.
Sonya described instructional strategies including the Gradual Release of Responsibility model paired with Universal Design for Learning, monthly professional-development focuses, learning tours for principals and curriculum-aligned feedback cycles. She reported the district conducted MAP testing for nearly 96% of students this year (up from roughly 500 students tested previously) and said that higher participation will allow the district to better target interventions and close achievement gaps.
The district is also expanding curricular and digital supports: Sonya noted adoption of Lexia for English language arts and ALEKS for math interventions, a 1:1 device allocation at the secondary level, and an expanded 7–12 ELA curriculum. She also said special-education compliance is being strengthened, introduced Britney Lisztzenbigler as a new student-services staffer who prepared a new student-services handbook, and said staff have been sent to threat-assessment and required trainings.
On operations, Sonya introduced a new Business Management Office with Scott Reed present, said an assistant business manager role exists though that person was not at the meeting, and described an in-progress business-office handbook and timelines. She said the district is “about 95% moved away from JMA Reliance,” signaling reduced external dependency for some business functions.
Sonya repeatedly urged collaboration and consistent practices across teams, saying the first and hardest year of implementation would require disciplined follow-through.
