Strategic Plan 2019-2024

“Achieving Excellence by Educating all Students for Tomorrow’s World.”

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

Table of Contents

To Our Community – District Information............................................................................3

Oakes School Board...................................................................................................................3

Oakes School Administration....................................................................................................3

Strategic Planning Overview .................................................................................................4-5

Strategic Planning Model...........................................................................................................5

Strategic Planning Committee/Process.....................................................................................6

Strategic Plan ..............................................................................................................................7

Strategic Initiatives ................................................................................................................8-13

Strategic Initiative 1 – Academic Engagement and Personalized Learning...........8-9

Goal 1: Portrait of a Graduate - 21

Century Skills ..............................................8

Goal 2: Personalized Competency-Based Education...........................................8-9

Goal 3: MTSS (Multi-Tiered Support System)......................................................9

Goal 4: Student Achievement.................................................................................9

Strategic Initiative 2 – School Culture and Climate.....................................................10

Goal 1: Growth Mindset .......................................................................................10

Goal 2: Mental Health and Student Behavior Planning........................................10

Goal : Participation and Experiences in Extra and Co-curricular Activities........11

Strategic Initiative 3 – Community Outreach...............................................................12

Goal 1: Business Partners-Student Internships .....................................................12

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

Goal 2: Family Engagement………………………………………….….………11

Strategic Initiative 4 – Resource Management and Planning ....................................13

Goal 1: Recruitment and Retention of Staff.........................................................13

Goal 2: Long Range Facilities Planning ...............................................................13

Goal 3: Long Range Technology Planning............................................................14

Goal 4: Long Range Financial Planning ...............................................................13

Strategic Initiative 5 – Continuous Improvement and Accountability ......................14

AdvancEd Engagement and Review Report........................................................................15-16

Annual Review………..…………………………………………...………………….……..….16

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

Executive Summary

The Oakes Public School District has two schools under one roof with a K-12 enrollment of 484

students. The need for a strategic plan is necessary to guide the district through the transition to

personalized competency-based learning, support the flex mod initiative in the high school, plan

for funding the ongoing building and grounds upkeep, support and guide the recruitment and

retention task force, and manage enrollment.

The Portrait of a Graduate will serve as our North Star of a system transformation and provide

strategic direction for the overall educational experience for students. EdLeader 21 states that

school leaders need to ask:

• What are the hopes, aspirations, and dreams that our community has for our young

people?

• What are the skills and habits of mind that our children need for success in this rapidly

changing and complex world?

• What are the implications for the design of the learning experiences and equitable access

to those experiences we provide in our school systems?

The following strategic plan makes our priorities clear, ensures full transparency, and will use

measurable outcomes to hold us accountable for maintaining focus on what will benefit our

students. The plan is proactive and provides a road map to create the kind of educational

experiences we want for today’s and tomorrow’s children. A balanced mix of current practice

and new initiatives can be found throughout the plan. The plan is comprehensive and reaches all

corners of the district. Both the academic and operational branches of the school district are

melded together to create consistency in practice.

The Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan sets the course for the future of our district. We invite

the Oakes community to join us as we “Achieve excellence by educating all students for

tomorrow’s world.”

Kraig M Steinhoff, Superintendent

Oakes Public Schools

Oakes School Board

Sonia Meehl - President

Karla Hoelscher

Sheila Nagel

Robert Thorpe

Bill Schmitz

Oakes Administration

Kraig Steinhoff - Superintendent

Brandon Bata - High School Principal

Anna Sell - Elementary Principal

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS OVERVIEW AND DEFINITIONS

School District Systems Alignment

There is a difference between the three central tenets of school district organization. Those

tenants include Board Governance Policies, District Strategic Planning, and District Operational

Planning. The following definitions help clarify the roles each plays in a strategically aligned

school district. See figure below:

Elements of a Strategic Plan

A comprehensive strategic plan includes both the academic and operational aspects of a school

district as identified in the district’s accreditation process; the AdvancED school improvement

model. This model includes three domains:

v Leadership Capacity

v Learning Capacity

v Resource Capacity

The Domains are statements that define the capacity of a school district to provide quality

student experiences as measured by a set of standards and meet the rigorous demands of

continuous school district improvement. A strategic plan will align the work of the school

district in both academic and operational strategic initiatives, goals and result metrics.

The elements of a good strategic plan include Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Belief or

Value Statements, Strategic Initiatives, Goals, and Results that are aligned with the AdvancED

performance standards for continuous school improvement.

What is Strategic Planning?

Strategic planning is an organizational management activity that is used to set priorities, focus

energy and resources, strengthen operations, and ensure that employees, board members,

and stakeholders are all working toward common goals. It is an effort that will guide

fundamental decisions and actions to shape the future of your school district.

What is a Strategic Plan?

A Strategic Plan is a living document used to communicate the organization’s goals, the

priorities needed to achieve those goals, and metrics used to measure progress on those goals. It

includes both the academic and operational aspects of the school district.

Strategic Focus

Operational

Planning

Strategic

Planning

Board

Governing

Policies

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

The strategic plan is aligned with the Board’s governing policies. Through these policies, the

Board sets the directive; however, the Superintendent ensures a process is put in place to develop

and implement a strategic plan.

Strategic Planning vs. Operational Planning

A strategic plan is a living document used to communicate the organization's goals, the

priorities needed to achieve those goals, and metrics used to measure progress on those

goals. It outlines your mission, vision, values, and strategic initiatives (focus) for the

next three to five years. A focused strategic plan will strengthen operations, and ensure

that employees, board members, and stakeholders are all working toward common goals.

An operational plan is a yearly plan which will focus the work of the district during the

current school year. It is the mechanism used to implement a strategic plan. The

operational plan is directly aligned to the strategic plan and includes metrics to measure

the progress of the plan throughout the school year

Strategic Planning Model

Organizational

Focus

Board Governance Policies

“What we do is what we value”

Proactive vs. Reactive

“Hope for the best is not a strategic initiative”!

“Transformational Change?”

“Our Cause, Actions, & Impact”

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

Strategic Planning Committee

A Strategic Planning Steering Committee was developed and consisted of the following

members:

• Kraig Steinhoff-superintendent

• Anna Sell-elementary principal

• Brandon Bata-high school principal

• Bill Schmitz-board member

• Sonia Meehl-board member

• Greg Dobitz-elementary teacher

• Dani Roney- elementary teacher

• Shari Christenson-high school teacher

• Brennan Hack-high school teacher

• April Haring-support staff

• Deb Van De Venter-support staff

• Emily Ptacek-community member

• Greg Stemen-community member

• Coy Awender-student

• Madison Iverson-student

• Jason Paradis-elementary parent

• Jessica Sundby-elementary parent

• Scott German-high school parent

• Shannon Jepson-high school parent

Dr. Jeff Schatz served as the Chair/Facilitator while the Cabinet and other district administrators

played the role of the support team and assisted in facilitating the process.

Planning Process

The planning process and actual construction of a new strategic plan occurred over a series of

meetings.

• September 17 Community Focus Group

• October 3 Steering Committee Meeting #1 3:30 – 5:30 pm

• October 24 Steering Committee Meeting #2 3:30 – 5:30 pm

• November 14 Steering Committee Meeting #3 3:30 – 5:30 pm

• February 6 Steering Committee Meeting #6 3:30 – 5:30 pm

• February 20 Steering Committee Meeting #7 3:30 – 5:30 pm

**All Steering Committee Meetings were held in the school conference room.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

Oakes Public Schools

Strategic Plan 2019-2024

Our Mission

“Achieving excellence by educating all students for tomorrow’s world.”

Our Vision

“Our vision for the future is to create personalized educational experiences that will prepare each

student to develop the skills essential for their success. These skills include critical thinking,

communication, collaboration, and creativity. We will accomplish this by supporting our

students in their intellectual, social, and personal growth in a community that is safe and

conducive to learning.”

Our Commitments

The Oakes Public Schools value respectful relationships between and among students, staff,

parents, and the community. We know that through the development of genuine relationships we

will instill a growth mindset where each student can realize their full potential.

Our Strategic Focus

The Oakes Public Schools will achieve its mission, vision, and commitments through the

fulfillment of its strategic plan. The following strategic initiatives will guide our efforts as we

“Achieve excellence by educating all students for tomorrow’s world.”

I. Academic Engagement and Personalized Learning

II. School Culture and Climate

III. Community Outreach and Engagement

IV. Resource Management and Planning

V. Continuous Improvement and Accountability

Respect

Growth

Mindset

Genuine

Relationships

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

I. ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT AND PERSONALIZED LEARNING

The Oakes Public Schools will use a personalized competency-based approach to engage

students in their own educational experience. North Dakota State Standards provides the

structure for teaching and learning and encourages the highest achievement of every student by

defining the knowledge and skills that students should acquire at each grade level.

GOAL 1: Portrait of a Graduate – 21

Century Skills Development

The Oakes Public Schools will use the 21st Century Skills of collaboration,

communication, creativity, and critical thinking to create a portrait of a graduate. The

21st Century Skills encourage the highest achievement of every student, by defining the

knowledge and skills that students should acquire at each grade level and support the

learning of the North Dakota State Standards.

Objectives

1. Develop a portrait of a graduate that includes essential skills necessary for each

student’s future success.

2. Provide professional development for faculty and staff focused on the content and

utilization of our portrait of a graduate.

3. Implement instructional practices that incorporate the essential skills identified in

the Portrait of a Graduate.

Progress Monitoring

1. A Portrait of a Graduate will be created, with implemented.

2. The professional development calendar will include yearly training on our Portrait

of a Graduate.

3. Students will be surveyed annually in grades 9-12 to gather feedback on

attainment of essential skills in our Portrait of a Graduate. (2021-Survey

Completed)

GOAL 2: Personalized Competency-Based Learning

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction defines personalized learning as a

process where students are met at their level, challenging them with high expectations for

academic achievement. Personalized learning includes:

• Rigorous academic standards and social-emotional skills students will need to be

ready for college, career, and life.

• Customized instruction will allow each student to design learning experiences.

• Varied pacing based on individual student needs.

• Real-time differentiation of instruction supports interventions based on formative

assessments and student feedback data.

• Access to clear, transferable learning objectives and assessment results.

• Oakes Public Schools will maintain the right to define competency-based learning

as it pertains to the school district’s initiatives.

Objectives

1. Maintain a partnership with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction

and Knowledge Works.

2. Develop and implement a plan to transition from traditional based education to

personalized competency-based learning.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

Progress Monitoring

1. Meet timelines and fulfill requirements set forth by the North Dakota Department

of Public Instruction and Knowledge Works throughout the five-year transition

time.

2. Implementation of personalized competency-based learning in PreK-12.

GOAL 3: MTSS (Multi-Tiered Support System)

North Dakota’s Multi-Tier System of Supports (NDMTSS) is a framework to provide all

students with the best opportunities to succeed academically and behaviorally in school.

NDMTSS focuses on providing high-quality instruction and interventions matched to

student need, monitoring progress frequently to make decisions about changes in teaching

or goals. Data is used to allocate resources to improve student learning and support staff

implementation of effective practices. (2021-Request to gather input from staff)

Objectives

1. Expand the MTSS programming systemwide from PreK -12.

2. Refine and apply instructional pathways for 7-12.

3. Create a shared data wall that includes K-12.

4. Provide regularly scheduled professional development time for the teacher to

collaborate on MTSS data and interventions for students.

Progress Monitoring

1. Use assessment data to monitor student performance.

2. Finish development of (MTSS Pathway) for PreK -12.

3. Monitor the use of data walls to make student programming decisions.

4. Professional learning committee minutes will be maintained and posted by team

leaders.

GOAL 4: Student Achievement

The Board of Education recognizes that the critical work of school boards is to establish

and promote a clear vision of student achievement as the top priority of the district.

Objectives:

1. The Board of Education and administrators will identify benchmarks to be used to

evaluate student achievement per policy GABDA.

Progress Monitoring

1. The results of the benchmarks will be updated annually and reported to all district

stakeholders.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

II. SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE

The Oakes Public Schools are dedicated to developing programs that build positive relationships,

which will ensure a positive school experience.

GOAL 1: Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is a frame of mind or a belief system which individuals use to

process incoming information. People with a growth mindset look at challenges and

change as a motivator to increase effort and learning. Oakes Public Schools will use

the Growth Mindset Framework to develop and implement a school-wide plan for

teachers and students. https://www.mindsetworks.com/Science/Teacher-Practices

Objectives

1. Provide professional development to faculty and staff on the Growth Mindset.

2. Establish practices that enhance the Growth Mindset in students, faculty, and

staff.

3. Create a formal structure to ensure students develop positive relationships with

adults and peers who support their educational experiences.

Progress Monitoring

1. The professional development calendar will include training on the Growth

Mindset.

2. Survey students, staff and faculty annually to gather feedback on the

implementation of Growth Mindset practices. (2021-How incorporating in 7-12)

GOAL 2: Mental Health and Student Behavior Planning

The Oakes Public Schools are committed to ensuring that staff and students are in a school

environment that is safe and conducive to learning. The Multi-Tiered System of Support

(MTSS) process for behavior challenges can be used to assist in identifying and helping

students who experience mental health or behavioral issues.

Objectives

1. A task force will be developed to explore best practices used to address the issue

of mental health, drug/alcohol issues, or potential drop out programming.

2. The recommendations of the task force will be used to develop a plan of action

addressing mental health, drug/alcohol issues, or potential drop out programming.

3. Increase behavioral preparedness of incoming kindergarten students by providing

preschool programming for students in need.

4. Create partnerships with outside entities to deal with mental health issues of

students, staff, and faculty.

Progress Monitoring

1. Analyze behavior incident data.

2. Analyze PreK-12 assessment data semiannually.

3. Monitor the development of partnerships with outside entities.

4. MTSS-B procedures or protocols system are implemented to decrease disruptions

of the learning environment due to behavior challenges.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

GOAL 3: Participation and Experiences in Extra and Co-curricular Activities

The Oakes Public Schools will support participation by all students in extra and co-

curricular activities. Activities offered include academic activities, career technical

student activities, athletics, clubs, drama, and music.

Objectives

1. The Oakes Public Schools will ensure that a variety of extra and co-curricular

programs and activities are made available for all students.

2. Oakes Public Schools will continue to find ways to improve and enhance current

extra and co-curricular activities.

Progress Monitoring

1. The Oakes Public Schools will monitor the effectiveness of the extra and co-

curricular programs by monitoring student participation numbers, satisfaction

survey data, GPA of participants, team scholar award recipients.

2. The Activities Director will report to the school board after each season on

participation numbers and program success.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

III. COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Oakes Public Schools will develop external partnerships which will provide additional support

and enrichment opportunities for students and staff.

GOAL 1: Business Partners-Student Internships

The Oakes Public Schools will establish partnerships and relationships with non-profits and

area businesses to support student academic success.

Objective

1. Continue implementation and expansion of work-based learning opportunities

provided to our Juniors and Seniors.

Progress Monitoring

1. Student completion of internship projects.

GOAL 2: Family Engagement

The Oakes Public Schools provide a wide variety of communication through Facebook,

newspaper, newsletter, Twitter, and Website. These are helpful ways to get information

out; however, they do very little to engage our families. The focus on engagement means

that we need to offer more ways for families to be involved.

Objective

1. Family Engagement is more than family communication. The Oakes Public

Schools will develop ways to engage families, to positively impact student

learning outcomes.

Progress Monitoring

2. A plan to further engage families will be developed and implemented.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

IV. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING

The Oakes Public Schools will secure and allocate resources needed to fund and carry out this

strategic plan. Meeting the needs of all students by providing equitable opportunities across the

school district will be a priority in all decisions made to educate students.

GOAL 1: Recruitment & Retention of Staff

The Oakes Public Schools will create a positive, supportive work environment and culture

that recognizes human motivators and allows for flexibility in meeting the full range of needs

facing our existing or potential school workforce. We will accomplish this goal by providing:

• Competitive compensation and benefit packages

• High-quality new employee orientation programs

• A mentoring program for all new and certified staff

• Continuing education and professional development for all staff members

Objectives

1. Review and further refine current practices regarding staff orientation, mentoring, and

coaching programs that address unique professional practices and organizational

expectations in support of all staff through guidance, support, and feedback.

2. Continue discussions around the recommendations made by the Retention and

Recruitment Taskforce.

Progress Monitoring

1. Update negotiated agreement that includes recommendations of the

recruitment and retention task force.

2. Develop written documents outlining the processes used for staff orientation,

mentoring, and coaching programs by the spring of 2020.

GOAL 2: Long-Range Facilities Planning

The Oakes Public Schools will strive to build and maintain facilities necessary to carry

out the Mission of the district with appropriate space available for all aspects of

education. This will be accomplished through the following objectives:

Objectives

1. The Oakes Public Schools will develop a Long-Range Facilities Plan to assist the

Board of Education and administration in the decision-making process as they

plan for facility needs.

2. The Oakes Public Schools will implement the Long-Range Facilities Plan using

the necessary resources to both maintain existing facilities, and design and

remodel or build new facilities.

3. Annual Operational Maintenance – Oakes Public Schools will systematically plan

maintenance projects for completion. The plan will include a detailed list of

annual needs and scheduling, to ensure designated projects are completed.

Progress Monitoring

1. A task force will be developed during the Fall of 2019, to create a Long-Range

Facilities Plan. The task force will develop the plan over a series of meetings

completing a plan document for the Board of Education’s approval by May 1,

2020.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

GOAL 3: Long-Range Technology Plan

The Oakes Public Schools are committed to ensuring all faculty and students have access

to technology. Furthermore, our top priority will be the integration of technology within

the curriculum to optimize the individual learning of each student. Integrated technology

within the curriculum assists students in gathering, evaluating, and or use information,

conduct research, solve problems, and create original works.

Objectives

1. The Oakes Public Schools will develop a Long-Range Technology Plan to ensure

students are college or career ready.

2. Faculty and students will acquire the knowledge to use a variety of technology

tools through classroom instruction and professional development activities.

3. The Oakes Public Schools will continue the integration of technology as a

learning tool for students and staff.

4. The Oakes Public Schools will plan to use technology as an efficient and effective

mode of communication with school stakeholders.

Progress Monitoring

1. Development of a comprehensive Long-Range Technology Plan will be

completed by the end of the 2020-21 school year.

2. Development of professional development opportunities will include training for

faculty and the use of technology in the delivery of classroom curriculum.

3. Internal and external communications will use a variety of communication tools

such as website and social media platforms.

GOAL 4: Long-Range Financial Planning

The Oakes Public Schools will develop long-term financial stability and sustainability

plan. This effort will require ongoing State commitment to education funding, local

support for the educational experience expected by district stakeholders, and ongoing

Federal support for educational mandates. As a result of our efforts, this will be

accomplished through the following objectives:

Objectives

1. Prepare a Long-Range Financial Plan which is data driven with historical, current,

and future data projections.

2. Prepare a budget aligned with AdvancED school improvement plans and strategic

initiatives with a shared vision of the district’s strategic initiatives.

3. Prepare an annual budget which addresses facility and technology needs to

support effective instruction.

Progress Monitoring

1. The Oakes Public Schools will research and develop a Long-Range Financial Plan

by December 2019.

2. The Oakes Public Schools will develop an annual budget with final approval by

the Board of Education. The budget will be prepared using data metrics provided

by the Long-Range Financial Plan which includes historical, current, and future

forecasted parameters and assumptions.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

V. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The Oakes Public Schools are committed to making data-driven decisions to ensure continuous

improvement and accountability. The school district will engage in a comprehensive process of

building and district level evaluation and accreditation. This will be accomplished by using the

AdvancED School Improvement and Accreditation Model. AdvancED has defined three

standards and corresponding indicators to assess overall school district performance. The three

standards are:

Standard 1: Leadership Capacity Domain

The capacity of leadership to ensure an institution’s progress toward its stated objectives

is an essential element of organizational effectiveness. An institution’s leadership

capacity includes the fidelity and commitment to its purpose and direction, the

effectiveness of governance and leadership to enable the institution to realize its stated

objectives, the ability to engage and involve stakeholders in meaningful and productive

ways, and the capacity to implement strategies that improve learner and educator

performance.

Standard 2: Learning Capacity Domain

The impact of teaching and learning is the primary expectation of every system and its

institutions. The establishment of a learning culture built on high expectations for

learning, along with quality programs and services, which include an analysis of results,

are all key indicators of the system’s impact on teaching and learning.

Standard 3: Resource Capacity Domain

The use and distribution of resources align and support the needs of the system and

institutions served. Systems ensure that resources are aligned with its stated purpose and

direction and distributed equitably so that the needs of the system are adequately and

effectively addressed. The utilization of resources includes support for professional

learning for all staff. The system examines the allocation and use of resources to ensure

appropriate levels of funding, sustainability, and system effectiveness.

AdvancED Engagement and Review report – January 30-31, 2018

The Oakes Public Schools have identified and ensured that the recommendations made by the

2018 AdvancEd report team are embedded throughout the current strategic plan. Advanced

recommendations included:

Opportunity for Improvement #1

Ensure all teachers implement instructional strategies that promote critical thinking,

creativity, innovation, digital learning, and collaborative problem-solving for students to

use 21st Century Learning competencies and skills.

Opportunity for Improvement #2

Develop a formalized process to implement a system to analyze and use data to drive

instruction and align curriculum.

Oakes Public Schools Strategic Plan 2019-24

Improvement Priority #1

Design and implement induction, mentoring, and coaching programs that address unique

professional practices and organizational expectations in support of all staff through

guidance, support, and feedback from peers and leaders.

Improvement Priority #2

Implement a formal structure to ensure learners develop a positive relationship with and

have consistent access to an adult who ensures the learners are supported during their

educational experiences.

THE OAKES PUBLIC SCHOOLS STRATEGIC PLAN ANNUAL REVIEW

Oakes’s strategic plan will serve as a compass to maintain the priorities, goals, and achievements

of the school district. Engaging community stakeholders in what is the most comprehensive

approach to providing educational experiences, for the students we serve is essential to

understanding what is critical to the community. This plan responds to growth and opportunity,

sustainability of programs, and community needs. In April of each year, the plan will be

reviewed by the administrative leadership team and presented to the Board of Education to

consider adjustments to the plan.

Facilitated and procured in collaboration with the strategic planning committee, administration, and Board of

Education by Dr. Jeffry M. Schatz, March 11, 2019

photocopy, recording, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the author:

Dr. Jeffry M. Schatz, Owner/Consultant

Schatz & Associates, LLC

Strategic Planning and Leadership Development

jm.schatoutlook.com