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District 5 outlines four draft strategic goals and reviews transfer policy; board approves community eligibility resolution
Summary
Superintendent and staff presented a draft 2027-2031 strategic plan with four goals (climate, achievement, workforce, honors pathways). Trustees discussed timing, goal measures, and capacity; staff also reviewed a model nonresident-student admission policy and the board approved a Community Eligibility Program resolution, 6-0.
District administrators presented the results of phase 2 of strategic-plan development and sketched four high-level goals for 2027'2031 at the July 20 District 5 board meeting.
Strategic-plan lead Audrey (speaker 28) told trustees the district completed a needs assessment and goal development after engaging 146 stakeholders and analyzing 25 datasets across five years. The draft goals are: (1) strengthen district and school climate (measured by chronic absenteeism and climate surveys), (2) improve student achievement and growth (measured by I-Ready growth, graduation and college/career-readiness rates, and dual-enrollment participation), (3) cultivate and retain high-quality teachers and administrators (measured by retention and teacher satisfaction), and (4) strengthen advanced/honors pathways with equitable access (measured by high-achieving students growth and participation in AP/IB/dual-enrollment).
Trustees questioned timelines and measures. One trustee asked whether the board could approve the framework earlier to influence strategy development; staff said the plan must be finalized by April 30, 2027, and that the board would see strategy and action items in coming months. Trustees also asked staff to ensure goals align with state targets and to include performance measures for underperforming and special-education student populations.
Separately, Dr. Harris (speaker 29) described a recommended model policy (JFAB) for nonresident student admissions and interdistrict transfers. The policy would require an application window (minimum 90 days), screening for program availability and student history (attendance, discipline), an appeals process that could come to the board, and a fee for nonresident enrollment (staff cited last years fee as $6,905.61). Staff noted eligibility for athletics and program capacity are important operational details and said they would bring a companion rule on capacity aligned with state guidance.
On a separate action item, the board approved the Community Eligibility Program resolution (Exhibit G) 6-0 after staff explained Chapin Elementary was the only school that qualified this year. Trustees also heard updates on bond-funded construction projects, including a ribbon-cutting for Lake Murray Elementarys new wing and a note that a canopy issue at an under-construction high school would be handled through emergency procurement procedures.
What happens next: Staff will finalize targets once 2025-26 data are available, develop strategy-level action steps for board review, and return with rules on transfer capacity and the JFAB implementation details for future board consideration.
