Amanda-Clearcreek Local board hears strategic-change presentation and student reflections

The Amanda-Clearcreek Local school board on the evening's agenda received a detailed presentation on a strategic-change agenda developed with the Schlucky Center and student, parent and staff input. Sandy Jenkins, who identified herself as a representative of the Schlucky Center nonprofit, framed the process as focused on classroom practice and the voices collected during extended discovery.

Jenkins said the center’s work centers on classroom practice: "the most important thing that happens every day in the school community is what happens inside that classroom." The presentation described an extended discovery phase that included students, staff, parents and board members and an assessment against a set of standards to surface gaps and priorities.

Administrators described a vision built around three guiding priorities—purpose, belonging and excellence—and four ACE actions to translate that vision into practice: culture and belonging; meaningful learning; operational effectiveness; and vision and purpose. Student members who participated in the planning underscored how the process shaped their view of the district’s goals. "This strategic planning that we're going to implement we'll be able to create a classroom and community environment where everyone can thrive," said Emma Strickler, a senior and member of the district's strategic planning committee.

Students and a parent who served on the discovery team said the process emphasized parent partnership and keeping student voice central. Administrators said the district will work with a communications partner pro bono to produce finalized materials and intends to present the final product for board approval at the April board meeting. No formal vote on the strategic-change agenda was taken at this meeting; the presentation was informational and intended to guide final edits before consideration.

Board members asked for details about measurable indicators and how the ACE actions would tie into the district's one-plan and state-required measurable goals. District staff said metrics will be developed to align the ACE actions with the one-plan’s measurable objectives and that some measures may look different from typical SMART goals because they will attempt to capture culture and belonging as well as academic outcomes.

The board is scheduled to review a finalized package in April; administrators also said they will deploy the final materials to staff, parents and the community and monitor indicators of progress as the plan is implemented.