ECISD action teams

Starting Tuesday, strategic planning action teams will begin designing the specific steps ECISD will take to implement a draft strategic plan.

"We've never really had a comprehensive strategic plan, but we needed one to come up with common beliefs and strategies," ECISD's director of operations Brian Moersch said.

A strategic planning committee developed a four-page document detailing district beliefs, objectives and strategies for reaching the objectives.

Each objective is written like a lesson plan objective, calling for what "all students" will achieve, including: appreciating the value of learning, investing unique gifts in the community, becoming confident, influential leaders and acquiring both academic and personal skills for personal greatness.

Six strategies flow from those objectives in the draft plan, and Moersch said those strategies will be studied by the teams for specific action steps as part of the next phase in the process. Moersch said as part of the details, the district will conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine effectiveness and streamline the action plans.

"This will be the foundation of all operations in the district for achieving student success," superintendent Hector Mendez said.

According to Moersch, 120 people are included in the new action teams, including 25 students.

"There is a diverse group of people involved, from business and community leaders to educators and students," Moersch said.

He said the action plans will go back to the original strategic planning committee in order to determine what needs require the greatest attention. At October's board of trustees meeting, trustee Donna Smith asked Mendez if issues like moving ECISD to a middle school system would be considered with the strategic plan, to which Mendez said those issues could be addressed later in the process as specific details are developed. Moersch said the wide variety in input is needed for ECISD's future.

"The intent is to become a world-class leader in education, and the only way to do that is with participation of the entire community," Moersch said.

Cambridge Strategic Services contracted with ECISD for $107,000 for the strategic planning, which is expected to last about nine months, according to Moersch. Mendez said the complete plan will show a picture of where the district should be in 10 years.

PLAN STRATEGIES

>> We will ensure learning experiences that are engaging, challenging and meaningful.

>> We will provide infrastructure to maximize the success of all students.

>> We will identify, engage and equip our world-class team to accomplish our mission.

>> We will establish and sustain an interdependent partnership with parents.

>> We will communicate effectively to serve our mission.

>> We will model and market our new culture throughout our community to ensure support and participation.