by Dennis Dalman
The Sartell-St. Stephen School Board approved its “future minded, student-focused” strategic plan at its Sept. 19 meeting.
Board Chair Patrick Marushin commented on the plan.
“Developing a strategic plan is a long-term and comprehensive project,” he said. “We are grateful to the staff, parent, guardian, student and community input we have received through formal listening sessions, online feedback, school board meetings and informal meetings.”
The school district’s previous mission and set of core values was developed about 10 years ago. The school board waited until after a new superintendent was selected in 2021 (Jeff Ridlehoover) before beginning the process to develop a new strategic plan that includes a mission, vision, core beliefs and strategic directions.
“Our mission,” Marushin explained, “is to develop well-rounded citizens capable of becoming successful and contributing members of society by providing outstanding instruction in a welcoming environment where every student is given the support needed to excel according to their unique abilities, interests and aspirations – one that has a more clear focus on students. Consistent feedback was that it is important for our district’s mission to be focused on helping students strive for personal excellence, and that personal excellence will vary in outcomes depending on each student’s abilities, interests and aspirations.”
Superintendent Ridlehoover continued: “The vision (“Future Minded, Student Focused”) reflects our student-centered approach while also being mindful, creative and innovative to provide students the skills and experiences they will need to be successful in the future workforce.”
“The core beliefs were compiled based on existing core values as well as additional items the school board heard through listening sessions at each building, staff insight and informal conversations, Manushin added. “The strategic directions are categories of action that leadership believes are important to the pursuit of the district mission and are meant to be categories for the next three to five years. The superintendent will develop an annual District Operating Plan that will consist of specific goals aligned with each of the strategic directions.”
To view the entire strategic plan, visit www.isd748.org/StrategicPlan.
