The Board of Education met on Monday, October 25, and, among other items, reviewed an update on the strategic planning community forums and approved a format for public hearings on the operating budget. The Board also reviewed an update on the Downcounty Consortium and approved a legislative platform.

Update on Strategic Planning Forums and Structure of Operating Budget Hearings

The Board reviewed the scheduling and format of the three community forums on strategic planning that were sponsored by the Board of Education this fall. Each meeting focused on one or more goals of the school system strategic plan. Participants addressed three principal questions: 1) What strategies and initiatives are on target to achieve the goals? 2) What is missing or falling short? 3) How can we communicate the goals and objectives of the strategic plan more effectively to the community?

Follow-up to the forums will include feedback presented by executive staff at meetings with stakeholder groups over the next two months. In addition, the Board approved the format for public hearings on the operating budget on January 13 and 20. The superintendent's operating budget presentation on December 15 will address how the priorities and initiatives in the strategic plan are included in the operating budget.

Update on the Downcounty Consortium

The Board reviewed an update on the Downcounty Consortium, including a description of the school choice process, a comprehensive marketing strategy, new courses, small learning communities in Grade 9, and themed academies in Grades 9 through 12. Work on these various efforts is proceeding on schedule. The Consortium, which opened with the academy programs and choice process this school year, is part of an overall strategic plan to improve academic performance, narrow the achievement gap by race and ethnicity, and address student enrollment issues.

Legislative Platform

The Board voted to adopt a platform statement for the 2005 state legislative session. The platform summarizes the Board's positions on priority issues without precluding the consideration of additional legislation and budget issues during the legislative session.