Draft five‑year strategic plan outlined; students played active role in shaping vision

District administration presented a draft five‑year strategic plan that it said was developed from a 670‑response community survey and a 43‑member stakeholder committee that included board members, staff, parents, civic leaders and students.

The draft vision reads, in part, that “Kaneland Community Unit School District 302 will continue to grow as an integral part of our communities where every student belongs, achieves at high levels and is prepared to contribute meaningfully in a constantly evolving world,” and administrators outlined a mission statement and a set of learner attributes the district labeled a “Knight” code focused on critical thinking, collaboration, contribution and ownership of learning.

Two student members of the stakeholder committee, Grace Collins and Alina Alfrey, described the committee process. Collins said participants gathered diverse perspectives and worked at tables that mixed students, staff, parents and municipal representatives; Alfrey said the students reviewed wording closely and sought inclusiveness and clarity.

Administration described next steps: building year‑by‑year action items for each of the plan’s four goals (academic excellence, student experience/belonging, communications/community trust, and operational efficiency/staff capacity), producing a communications plan, and returning the full plan for a board vote on June 29.

Board discussion included suggestions to tighten language (for example adding references to unity and success), and administrators asked board members to send any edits ahead of the June review. No formal vote was taken at this meeting.

What’s next: Administration will finalize action items in late May and present a full proposed plan for board approval at the June 29 meeting.