Even though I have been on the school board for three-and-one-half years, I often feel as if I’m just getting started. There are so many issues facing public education and CHCCS. One phrase I use regularly to summarize our priorities is, “we need to focus on becoming a school system rather than a system of schools.”  The Curriculum Audit highlighted systemic needs in seven major areas, and it accurately describes what I see as our continuing focus.

Curriculum Audit Findings

1.Strengthen the stability and foundation of the school district through board policy, refinement of system-wide planning, organizational structures, job descriptions, and improving internal communication and follow-through. This is ongoing.

2. Develop and implement a curriculum management plan and aligned curriculum that supports rigorous and engaging instruction. We need a written curriculum for every course, subject, and grade level K-12. This activity is paired with effective instructional strategies (a focus on critical thinking skill development.)

3. Continue to strengthen the district’s strategic processes toward achieving equitable and equal access to a rigorous curriculum.

4. Develop the use of assessment data to impact decision making at all levels of the organization, and institute internal capacity for evaluating current programs.

5. Develop and implement a comprehensive professional development plan to support all staff in incorporating research-based instructional strategies in daily instruction.

6. Develop long-term plans for the future of instructional technology and district facilities to support authentic and meaningful instruction using technology, where appropriate, and in an environment conducive to student learning. This is a multi-faceted and complex issue involving polices, practices, education, and significant collaboration among staff, students, parents, and interested community members. Related to the effective use of technology for instruction and learning is the need to understand the ramifications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its broadest sense. Underlying everything related to technology use is the need to focus on screen-time and student behavior and mental health.

7. Develop budgeting procedures that regularly use cost-benefit analysis to better support funding of the district’s priorities. We need to develop a Five-Year Budget Plan, with annual adjustments. Additionally, we need to conduct an Academic Return on Investment of all major programs and use the results as the basis for budget planning.