Walla Walla Public Schools plans public Strategic Planning meeting to get input

Walla Walla Public Schools plans public Strategic Planning meeting to get input
Strategic Plan to help set district vision and direction for the next five years

Meeting Date
- Thursday, June 23
- 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- District Office Board Room (364 S. Park St.)
- Open to the public
- Facilitator: Susan Newton, Development Strategies Plus

Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors are planning a public meeting Thursday, June 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the District Office located at 364 S. Park Street to continue the strategic planning process with consultant Susan Newton of Development Strategies Plus.

Participants will learn why a strategic plan is necessary for the school district, review the strategic planning process, study survey and interview data and discuss the first draft of the five year plan. The district began work on a new strategic plan earlier this school year with a goal to have the finalized plan completed prior to the start of the 2011-2012 school year.

The strategic planning process started with a comprehensive data collection phase which included more than 220 survey responses, 50 one-on-one interviews with various stakeholders and four student focus group sessions at Walla Walla High School and Lincoln Alternative High School.

In May, the Board of Directors and members of Superintendent Mick Miller's leadership team spent seven hours at the Port of Walla Walla Conference Room during a public work session reviewing the data, studying trends and beginning to frame goals for the plan. All school board members were present. The district will also rework its mission and vision statements as part of the strategic planning process.

Data suggests nearly 80 percent of the people believe the district is headed in the right direction and say Superintendent Mick Miller is off to a great start in his first year. The data suggests there is high regard for Miller's outreach efforts and transparent communication style. The community would like to see the district better involve parents, students and community partners in the school system.

Data calls for ensuring programs and educational choices are available to meet the needs of all students. There is a desire to maintain high standards for staff, balance state testing with other school activities and offerings, continue to provide a safe learning environment and communicate to all audiences.