NW School Board Blog

School Boards and Strategic Planning

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Published on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 14:07

Strategic Planning at S.D 40.

During my three years on the Board of Education in New Westminster, there has been sporadic discussion about developing a strategic plan. The Superintendant in New Westminster, has often spoken to the need for one. For whatever reason, lack of resolve, lack of resources, it simply has never been brought to fruition. In my opinion, we need to find common ground to correct this, support staff and find the will and the resources to develop a strategic plan.

It should be recognized that strategic planning is not a panacea to ensure the best possible outcomes. But I think it can safely be said that without a strategic plan, the best possible outcomes will not be achieved.

All too often, school board members are like firefighters on the ground, battling the flames when they should be in a helicopter above the fire, able to see how extensive the blaze is, which way the wind is blowing and where the resources need to be deployed. 
Anonymous

The Need for a Strategic Plan

Strategic Planning is a must for an organization, regardless if it is in the for-profit or not-for-profit sector. This holds true for School Boards as much as for any other organization.

“Participants in the school system need a sense of direction. People need
to know what the organization stands for, where it is headed, and what it is
going to take to become better in terms of defined organizational purpose. A
meaningful shared organizational purpose binds people together in unity and
incorporates them into a common direction. Without clear understanding of the
aims of the organization, disparate and fragmented activities result. Progress
cannot occur without a common focus on purpose and goals. The board is the
body that has responsibility for determining the values upon which the school
system rests, and the board must create, with the help of the director and his
educational team, a consensus view of what the purpose of schooling in their
community must be. Again, vision is the key. The local school board is acting
on behalf of the people in its community to translate educational purposes into
reality. The board envisions the community’s educational future and formulates
the goals, defines the outcomes, and sets the course for its public schools”
(Poston: p. 29-30)

Saskatchewan School Boards Association  - School Board Mission, Vision and Planning. 

What is a strategic Plan?

Strategic planning is a collaborative process by which an organization determines its optimal future. Strategic planning involves understanding the bigger context, determining the board’s goals and strategies, setting relevant policy, allocating resources and monitoring progress towards realization of the board’s mission and vision. It is one of the most significant leadership roles of a Board of Trustees.

A good Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) provides:

• A shared vision and mission
• Clear values and beliefs that will drive actions
• A small number of priorities that will drive the organization
• End results or outcomes
• Optimal key strategies
• Alignment of resources – balance between strategies and budget
• Key success indicators
• Strategy for monitoring progress
• A shared leadership and accountability framework: Who? What? When?
• Alignment of policy with strategic directions
• Communication strategy
• Provision for continuous capacity building throughout the school board in order to obtain end results

Ontario School Trustees Org.

Why is Strategic Planning Important?

• to bring everyone on board – to engage and to mobilize towards the vision
• to be proactive vs reactive to external forces of the environment
• to guide decision making at all levels
• to ensure sustainability
• to be accountable to the key stakeholders and to the public
• to improve organizational learning and capacity
• to communicate to the public what is important
• to move from board compliance to overall performance

Ontario School Trustees Org.

I wish to acknowledge the the Ontario District School Boards Org. for use of their material.

Their entire document can be viewed by going to: http://modules.ontarioschooltrustees.org/en/read/the-strategic-role-and-multi-year-strategic-planning

I would also like to acknowledge the Saskatchewan School Boards Association for use of their material.

Their entire document can be viewed by going to: http://www.saskschoolboards.ca/educationservices/modules/Module_3_Board_Vision_Mission_and_Planning.pdf

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