Our Progress

Throughout the Listening Phase, our community participated in an online survey, community conversations, and community feedback sessions. We also interviewed our school principals, and school board members, and received direct input from teachers and staff. 

• Online Survey: 649 Respondents
• Community Conversations: 18 Gatherings with various groups
• Community Feedback Sessions: 2 Sessions with 40 and 50 participants respectively
• Interviews with Leadership: 5 School Principals and 4 School Board Members
• Teacher and Staff Input Sessions: The majority of teachers and staff at all 5 schools

We have already reached two of our Project Goals:

• Grow in self-understanding of current organizational reality and context of the community of New Richmond: its challenges and strengths
• Utilize an inclusive process and garner the participation of community members, business leaders, community leaders, parents, students, staff, and school board to give voice to their perspectives that will shape aspects of the plan and create support for the work

We excelled in two of our Measurements of Success:

• Successful completion of Listening and Feedback Phases
• Rate of participation in community engagement activities; quality of ideas and experiences in engagement

Report Summary

Strengths

• Community Support of Schools
• Dedicated Teachers and Staff
• Variety of Extracurricular Activities for Students

Challenges

• Crucial Culture
• The SDNR will need to address differences that exist intentionally and thoughtfully
• Need for deeper collaboration between school and district leaders in order to build relationships and encourage team building

Optimal Strategies

• Need for a clear and compelling vision for the School District of New Richmond with shared values that shape a healthy culture
• Need for academic improvement to close the achievement gap

Empowering Structures

• Significant funding and budget issues face the district
• Facilities that require attention and the need for more adequate and appropriate space for student learning

Healthy Teams and Leaders

• Instructional practices in teaching and staff development must continue in order to build capacity and skill
• Mental health support for staff and students

Aligned Systems/Processes

• A variety of communication needs
• Teachers and staff overwhelmingly identified Increased Family Connection/Engagement/Involvement as key to a better school and student experience
• The behavior needs of students need to be explored
• Prepare and facilitate strategic change well

Recommendations

Design Strategies

• Design a new Strategic Plan with clarity of vision, mission, and values
• Craft staff strategies to recruit/retain quality staff, development, compensation, and training with behavior/trauma
• Strategic communication planning for the district and schools
• Focus on teacher training and improving student academic performance to help close achievement gaps
• Budget/Facilities strategic planning with the community facilitated by the school board, principals, and superintendent to create shared ownership and investment

Develop Intentional Culture of Respect

• Develop a framework to deal with differences: students, demographics, academic performance, race, gender, etc. Work on policy, culture, tolerance, language, staff training, etc.
• Nurture collaborative relationships, support, and mental health services, increase trust, and investment of parents, students, teachers, staff, and leaders
• Architect significantly more involvement of families and community in district and school

Strategic Plan Update Video

Click here to view our Strategic Plan Update Video.

Strategic Plan Summary

MISSION: INSPIRE EVERY STUDENT TO LEARN TO THEIR POTENTIAL.

VISION: SDNR IS A HIGH PERFORMING COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS IN FEARLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE.

Strategic Goals

Growth For ALL

Growth For ALL, our ultimate goal, is identified as academic, social, and emotional growth for every student, every day. Growth also encompasses our staff who are continuously learning in fearless pursuit of excellence.

When the environmental conditions in the school district facilitate engagement, belonging, and investment, then Growth For ALL is achievable.

Engage

Elevating active involvement within our learning organization to increase productivity and collaboration.

Belong

Cultivating relationships of respect, empathy, and acceptance.

Invest

Building a healthy and sustained positive LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.