Superintendent outlines "rowing together" strategy, three pillars and PLCs partnership

Dr. Wenzel (S4) summarized the district’s draft improvement plan, which he anchored to three main ideas: shifting central office to help principals be stronger instructional leaders, investing in principal leadership capacity, and strengthening teacher collaboration. He said the plan is research informed and will be brought to the board for approval in October alongside school improvement plans.

Wenzel described a three-year partnership with PLCs at Work and tied the strategy to five district goals — math, English language arts, attendance, graduation and the Evergreen Elementary project — and to a comparison cohort of eight demographically similar districts. He framed the effort as "rowing together," explaining that the district wants alignment across the central office, principals and teachers so schools can accelerate student learning. During Q&A, board members asked how principals will carve out classroom time; Wenzel said goal setting and cabinet support will backfill management tasks so principals can focus on instruction.