Lakeshore School District adopts new mission, vision and core values after community survey

The Lakeshore School District board unanimously adopted updated mission, vision and core values on June 8, following a community survey and a May 27 workshop facilitated by consultants from the Michigan Association of School Administrators.

Superintendent presented the final language developed after stakeholder interviews, focus groups and a 353-person community survey, noting the consultants said that response level was "well over double" what they normally receive. At the May 27 workshop of about 22 participants, small groups used a consensus model to refine language for the district.

The board approved a vision phrased as: "Lakeshore: a place where all means all," expanded in the presentation to that "all students belong, all students achieve excellence and all students are prepared for life beyond Lakeshore." The adopted mission reads: "Cultivating a caring community where every learner is challenged to achieve their highest academic and personal potential." The board also adopted a set of core values summarized by the acronym CORE: Connections, Opportunities, Readiness and Expectations, with "Integrity is the core of everything we do" noted as a crosscutting value.

MASA facilitators Stephanie Long and Carrie Bushinsky guided the district through survey synthesis, focus groups and the small-group consensus process, officials said. Superintendent and board members emphasized consistency between the new statements and the district's existing strategic goals on student success, staffing and community connections; the package of statements will be published in a one-page format for districtwide use.

The board voted to approve the revised mission, vision and core values in a roll-call motion; the motion passed with unanimous assent. The district indicated it will produce materials (such as posters) to share the adopted statements across schools and programs.