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RSU5 adopts five-year strategic plan after 18-month community process
Summary
After 18 months of focus groups and surveys, the RSU5 board unanimously adopted a five-year strategic plan that sets a mission, a 'portrait of a graduate' and measurable indicators; the administration will form an oversight committee and prioritize implementation steps over the coming year.
The RSU5 Board of Directors voted unanimously June 10 to adopt a revised five-year strategic plan the district said was built through 18 months of community focus groups, surveys and committee work.
The plan establishes a mission “to empower and equip every learner with skills, curiosity, character, and purpose to thrive and live fulfilling lives in an everchanging world,” a set of “we believe” priority statements, and a five-part “portrait of a graduate” that lists intellectual curiosity, interpersonal competence, personal growth, community and global engagement, and future readiness as desired graduate outcomes. "RC5 students are innovative, creative, and curious," board member Cara Kaikini read as part of the portrait during the presentation.
Administrators and committee members emphasized that the strategic plan is a high-level framework and that the district will translate it into annual action plans and measurable indicators. Superintendent Tom told the board that action plans—created by people doing the work—will identify annual goals, responsibilities, timelines and resources, and that the administrative team will set annual priorities based on community input.
Tom also proposed a strategic oversight committee made up of representative constituents from the original planning group to meet periodically to review progress and advise on implementation. The committee, he said, would help determine whether strategies and indicators should be adjusted over time.
Board discussion leading up to the vote centered on how “living” the plan should be. Board member Colin said a strategic plan should offer stable direction while action plans remain flexible; others agreed mission and pillars should remain constant while strategies and action steps may evolve. The board pointed to indicators of success embedded in the document—attendance, community partnerships and other measures—as the way to track progress.
Student representative Maria, who served on the planning committee, told the board she "really liked" the portrait of a graduate and appreciated that it emphasized more than academic measures.
Consultant Erica Walstrom of Great Schools Partnership, who supported the process, described the committee's role in data collection and drafting. The presenters said the district has one survey open through June 18 for final community input that will inform implementation priorities.
The board moved and approved the plan in a single vote. The superintendent said the administrative team will bring implementation and communication plans to board leadership at the district’s summer retreat and will use the budget and regular departmental reporting cycles to track alignment with the plan.
What happens next: with the plan adopted, the board and administration will identify initial annual priorities and create action plans this summer and fall; staff and the proposed oversight committee will provide periodic updates to the board and the public.
