VSAC’s Aspirations team says district has advanced to implementation stage and outlines sustainability plan

Lauren Hood of VSAC’s Aspirations program gave the board an overview of the district’s progress through the Aspirations rubric and the project’s sustainability plan. She said the steering committee’s professional-learning indicator moved from stage 1–2 in 2022 to stage 3 in 2025, reflecting increased educator engagement and integration of post-high-school planning into classroom practice.

Hood highlighted professional development milestones: five educators participated in a graduate-level course in 2024 and 10 faculty engaged in a daylong professional-development event in 2025; additional faculty reported greater comfort discussing career and college planning with students. Administrators presented survey results showing a shift from 2022 to 2025 in self-reported educator readiness to support postsecondary planning.

Looking ahead, Hood introduced a sustainability guide and an implementation timeline that includes a community database (referred to as 'Thunderbase') to help faculty locate local partners and resources. She said the Aspirations team will continue summit participation, offer targeted PD, and support the steering committee as it transitions toward local ownership of the work after the program’s fourth year.

Board members praised the progress and discussed next steps — including alumni panels, ongoing data review and a continuation plan that maps priorities through 2028. Hood and district staff expressed confidence that local teams are prepared to continue the work with VSAC as a resource rather than primary operator.