Wauwatosa board reviews 2025–28 strategic plan, narrows vision to learning experience

Wauwatosa — At a special meeting, the Wauwatosa School District board reviewed a proposed 2025–2028 strategic plan that reduces the number of goal areas, tightens measurable metrics and sets a timetable for reporting and final adoption.

Jenny Foch, the district’s director of strategy and continuous improvement, presented the draft and said it replaces the previous plan’s six goal areas and roughly 89 objectives with four priority areas, aligned initiatives and interim metrics so the district can "take the temperature" several times a year rather than waiting until year-end. "Our theory of action is definitive and clear: improved adult practices elicit improved student outcomes," Foch said.

Foch told the board the administration will maintain a single public dashboard for progress monitoring and proposed interim report dates and checkpoints during the school year. She cited example reporting dates including Dec. 8, Feb. 23 and May 11 and said the plan would come back for a first reading at the Aug. 11 board meeting and a vote on Aug. 25.

Board members discussed structure and language throughout the plan. One member, Mr. Roier, questioned a word in the mission draft—calling "productive" ambiguous and noting some community members associate it with economic outcomes rather than educational ones. Several trustees urged the document be concise and memorable while still signaling academic commitment and equity.

Members pressed administration on academic and career planning (ACP), saying ACP implementation is uneven across schools. Foch proposed task‑oriented interim measures—such as counting junior conferences or ACPs created—and said the district will convene a district ACP committee that will meet monthly from September through April to develop practical metrics and track progress.

Board members and staff reviewed baseline data for a work‑based learning metric: the draft shows rising seniors (class of 2026) at 42.6% and rising juniors at 40.5% having met an identified work‑based learning objective. Trustees suggested setting stepped annual percentage targets rather than aiming for full coverage immediately.

After extended discussion and several wording suggestions, the board coalesced around a concise vision statement: "Ensure an exceptional and equitable learning experience for all." The board asked staff to refine mission language so it aligns with that vision; drafts discussed in the meeting framed the mission around a "relentless commitment to academic achievement for all," ensuring excellent educators and evaluating resources, structures and practices "in order to empower everyone to thrive." Staff said they will return with revised language at the Aug. 11 meeting.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn. A roll call recorded affirmative votes from Miss Rosinski, Mr. Bower, Mr. Morris, Mr. Rollins and Mr. White; the meeting ended at about 9:08 p.m.