Goal 1:
To continue the review and revision of policies and by-laws by June 30, 2026, with at least an additional 20% of existing policies reviewed with revisions made where necessary, and a summary audit report shared with the board members by the superintendent by September 2025 to ensure transparency, alignment with legal requirements, and organizational effectiveness.
Action Plan
Major Activities
- Continue a full audit of existing policies and by-laws
- Identify and prioritize policies needing revision based on legal compliance and organizational relevance
- Revise prioritized policies with internal and/or legal input
- Share a summary policy audit report with stakeholders (Board members and administration)
- Ensure summary policy audit report is kept up to date as reviews/revisions are made.
- Submit revised policies for approval by governing body
Resources
- Board time for audit and revision work
- Access to current policy and by-law documents
- Legal or compliance consultant (as needed)
- Document management system or tracking spreadsheet
- Communication tools for sharing reports and updates
Timelines
- Determine what the grouping of policies for the 2025-2026 goal is: by September 2025
- Policy review/revision phase: September 2025–June 2026
- Summary audit report shared with board members: by August 2025
- Chosen grouping of policies for reviews/revisions approved and finalized: by June 30, 2026
Indicators of Success
- 100% of current policies and by-laws audited based on agreed upon section of policies
- 100% of identified priority policies revised
- Summary audit report delivered to internal/external stakeholders by May 2026
- Final revised documents approved by governing body by June 30, 2026
Goal 2:
To establish and implement a plan to receive and review quarterly growth data reports ensuring data-informed decision-making that prioritizes student achievement and to communicate decisions transparently to the public by June 30, 2026.
Action Plan
Major Activities
- Define what constitutes key “growth data” (e.g., enrollment, attendance, revenue, student academic progress and achievement etc.) by September 2025, how it will be presented and the review process.
- Design and document a standard quarterly reporting format for how data will be presented and reviewed.
- Schedule quarterly board data review sessions (e.g., during regular meetings, during workshop meetings or as special briefings/presentations)(October, January, March, and June)
- Train or orient board members on interpreting growth data.
- Document Board discussions and decisions that reference the reports, tracking the number of decisions that directly cite growth data.
- Determine a system for reporting data reports and related board decisions to the public ( e.g., on the district website and/or other regular communication channels.)
- Collect feedback from board, administration and stakeholders; use to refine the data-sharing process for clarity and usefulness by June 30, 2026.
Resources
- Administration is responsible for collecting, analyzing and presenting growth metrics.
- Data visualization/reporting tools (e.g., dashboards, slide decks)
- Designated Board meeting time
- Communication platform for distributing reports (email, board tab on website, board recap of related decisions to data included in District News letters)
- Optional: external consultant or trainer for board education on data literacy
Timelines
- Growth data definition and reporting template created: by September 2025
- Quarterly reporting begins: Q4 of 2025 (starting October)
- Ongoing board briefings and data presentations: Quarterly through June 2026
- Board training or orientation on interpreting data: by January 2026
- Evaluation and refinement of reporting process: by June 2026
Indicators of Success
- 100% of scheduled quarterly data reports delivered to board by June 30, 2026
- At least 90% of board members review or engage with reports (e.g., via meeting participation or feedback)
- 80% of board members report increased understanding of growth trends by final quarter
- Board uses data in at least 2 documented strategic or policy discussions by June 2026
Goal 3:
To develop and implement plans to increase community involvement, and understanding of district vision and mission throughout the district by June 30, 2026, including hosting at least one district-wide community engagement event.
Action Plan
Major Activities
- Assess current levels and forms of community involvement
- Gather input from staff, families, and community stakeholders to identify barriers and ideas for improvement
- Develop a community engagement plan with both district-wide and school-level strategies
- Plan and execute at least one major district-wide community event
- Promote all engagement efforts through coordinated communication channels
- Monitor participation and gather feedback to refine efforts
- Add data to the screens in the buildings
Resources
- Engagement time (engagement coordinators, school leaders, communications team)
- Community partners and volunteers
- Event space, supplies, and promotional materials
- Surveys or feedback tools
- Budget for event logistics and outreach (food, childcare, interpretation, etc.)
Timelines
- Needs assessment and stakeholder input: by October 2025
- Community engagement plan developed: by December 2025
- Community event planning and promotion: January–March 2026
- District-wide community event held: by April 2026
- Ongoing engagement activities and promotion: through June 2026
- Evaluation and planning for sustained involvement: by June 2026
Indicators of Success
- Community engagement plan completed and shared internally by December 2025 – 100%
- At least one district-wide event held with a minimum of 75 attendees – 100%
- 25% increase in community participation (e.g., event attendance, survey response rates, volunteer sign-ups) compared to baseline by June 2026 – 25%
- 80% of event attendees report feeling more connected to the district – 80%
- Community feedback used to inform next year’s engagement strategies – 100%
Goal 4:
To work toward achieving the Carol E. Larsen Master Board Certification (10 additional credits)through the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) by June 30, 2026, with 100% of required board member participation and at least 90% of required components completed to qualify for certification.
Action Plan
Major Activities
- Review NJSBA requirements for Carol E. Larsen Master Board Certification
- Create a timeline and track progress toward completing required workshops, retreats, and board self-evaluations
- Schedule and participate in NJSBA training sessions and governance activities
- Maintain accurate records of board member participation
Resources
- Choose what NJSBA trainings to complete in 2025-2026
- Assign member for scheduling and tracking
- Board members’ time and commitment
- Meeting time for retreats and evaluations
Timelines
- Review certification requirements and create tracking system: by September 2025
- Schedule and begin NJSBA training sessions: October 2025 – June 2026
- Conduct required board retreat and self-evaluation: by June 30, 2026
- Ongoing participation tracking and documentation: through June 2026
Indicators of Success
- 100% of board members enrolled and participating in the certification process
- At least 90% of required training sessions, retreats, and self-evaluation activities completed by June 2026
- Positive feedback from board members on value of the process
- Receive certification at Warren County Meeting with all board members in attendance