Our last five-year strategic plan started in 2012 and ends in 2017.  This plan was focused on six major areas:

1)     Public Relations and Community Engagement;

2)     Technology;

3)     Finance and Operations;

4)     Curriculum, Instruction and Student Achievement;

5)     Facilities; and

6)     Health and Wellness

One of the major goals of the plan was to determine whether or not to go to referendum for a new elementary school or to repair the 1916 Elementary School.  The School Board engaged the community to ask what they believed to be the best course of action.  This input eventually led to the development of the referendum question and the construction of the new elementary school that we are using today.

With the completion of this plan, it is now time to start working on our focus for the next five years.  As the Board starts this very important process, they are again interested in finding out the community’s thoughts and ideas about where we are and where you would like us to be in the future.  As part of this information process, the Board will hold its first Community Conversation on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle/High School Commons.  This and following conversations are designed to listen to the ideas, thoughts and opinions that community members have regarding our school system.  The information gained during these meetings will help the Board determine its focus for the future.

In addition to these meetings, the Board will also be putting a survey on our website (www.williamsbayschools.org) to gather information and ideas.  Some of the possible questions for this survey are as follows:

1)     What are some things that you like best about the Williams Bay School District?

2)     In your opinion, what are some areas in which the Williams Bay School District could improve?  Please provide your thoughts and ideas on how we could achieve these improvements.

3)     As the School Board works on developing its next five-year strategic plan, what short and long-range issues do you think need to be a part of this plan?

4)     Are there any new initiatives/programs you would like to see the District implement?

5)     Now that the District has completed its new Elementary School, are there any other facility issues that you believe need to be considered by the School Board?

6)     During the next five years, the School Board will be developing a succession plan for the District’s leadership.  What would you like us to consider when developing this plan?

7)     Good communication is essential for any organization to succeed.  How well do you think we are doing as a School District and do you have any recommendations for how we could be even better communicators?

8)     What role should the School District play in the greater Williams Bay community?

9)     What other comments, opinions, ideas or questions do you have regarding the Williams Bay School District and its future?

Over the next several months, I will be writing blogs to keep you informed about the strategic planning process and to ask for your opinions on different areas or topics that the Board is considering putting into their next five-year strategic plan.  I hope that you will be willing to help the Board in this process by taking part in one or more of our Community Conversations and completing the survey.  Your input is valued and will be used as we continue to plan for the future. 

As always thank you for your support to our school district and community – we couldn’t be successful without you!