Strategic Plan Components • BELIEFS: A statement that is a formal expression of the organization's and community's fundamental values; its ethical code, overriding convictions, and strong commitments. It describes the character of the organization. • MISSION: A statement that is a clear and concise expression of the district's identity, purpose, and the means of action. A bold declaration of what the organization will be. • PARAMETERS: Limitations the organization places upon itself. They are things the organization either will never do or will always do. • OBJECTIVES: The planning organization's commitment to achieve specific, measurable end results in terms of student success, achievement, and/or performance. Objectives are what the organization must achieve if it is to accomplish its mission. • STRATEGIES: The most important part of the plan is the articulation of bold initiatives through which the organization will deploy its resources toward the stated mission and objectives. Strategies are what make the plan "strategic." • ACTION PLANS: An action plan is the operational plan of action that focuses on the development of the strategies found in the plan. This is the most critical phase of the planning process. Print Friendly Version of
Strategic Plan |
On Track for 2015
What will CHISD look like in 2015? Last fall this question was posed. The answer to the question was to embark on a formalized strategic planning process that will produce a long-range plan characterized by originality, vision, and realism. Strategic planning is based on an organization's aspirations and pushes it to reach beyond its current capabilities allowing it to accomplish higher goals, loftier aspirations, and set the course for its newly stated mission.
This process began in October when thirty educators, parents, students, and community leaders met for three days of intensive strategic planning for the school district. Cambridge Strategic Services, which has worked with school districts like Highland Park ISD and Coppell ISD for many years, facilitated the strategic planning session October 29-31, 2009. The session was held at the Mt. Lebanon Encampment located in Cedar Hill. This extensive cross-section of team members ensured a reflection of the values and perspectives of the entire district and community. Except for the action plans, the committee developed a draft copy of every component of the plan- belief statements, mission statement, parameters, objectives, and strategies.
That planning session was followed by the assigning of Action Teams to address each of the eight strategies. The Action Teams were also made up of a cross-section of Cedar Hill residents, business leaders, city employees, educators, and students who are affected by, and involved in, the strategy. The Action Teams developed specific, operational plans of action designed to implement the strategies developed by the Strategic Planning Committee. The Action Team's hard work began in January and was completed in April. The action planning culminated with the Action Team leaders presenting their plans to the original Strategic Planning Committee in May. During the second strategic planning session, action plans were either approved, rejected, or sent back for additional work. The committee also revisited the belief statements, mission, parameters, and objectives to finalize. The committee had their final meeting in June to finalize all action plans.
The completed plan was presented to the Board during the regular August board meeting and approved on August 30th during a special board meeting.
We're especially proud that, as a school district, we have the opportunity to serve the students of Cedar Hill by concentrating our efforts on what we truly aspire to be as a district. We don't have to look very far, even in our own community, to see that children are our greatest resource; the building blocks of our society
For more information, or to become involved, contact
Diane Case
972.291.1581 ext. 4085
diane.case@chisd.net
