Strategic Planning moving forward

A major first step towards the development of the district’s new five year strategic plan was taken at the School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, June 20 at the DESC.

The Board adopted a mission statement, a vision statement, and values for the plan.

For months now, through surveys, small group and large group meetings with students, parents, staff and community, information has been collected, reflected on, and used to develop a new strategic plan. The plan guides decision-making, budget development, school growth plans, and operational plans. It sets out the mission, vision and values of the district and what everyone is working towards for SD83 students.

At the meeting the Board chose from three recommendations from the District Strategic Planning Committee (DSPC) and gave approval to the district’s new mission statement which is: Empowering students to become confident, curious, and caring individuals who thrive in their learning, relationships, and community.

The Board looked at four recommendations for a vision statement and after a little re-wording chose: Preparing students to become educated citizens who contribute positively to a dynamic, sustainable, and diverse world.

The DSPC, also brought forward nine values and value statements for the Board’s consideration. While agreeing that all of those brought forward were important, wanted to work some of the values together to reduce the number down to six or seven. They agreed that Belonging, Respect, Empathy, Equity, Perseverance, and Reconciliation were the values which would be in the plan. However, in the statements which accompany the values of relationships, well-being and safety will be incorporated. These value statements will come back to the Board in September.

After the motions were passed, Board Chair Marianne VanBuskirk gave accolades to the committee, and to all who helped with this by providing their thoughts and input. She also thanked Kriger for the days, nights, weeks, and months she has spent on getting this information to them.

Superintendent of Schools Donna Kriger, who has been spearheading the work, said at the meeting that it has been an immense privilege to come into the communities and speak with students, parents and community members. She added that the Senior Leadership Team also has been a great help.

Background
The Ministry of Education and Child Care requires that every school district within the province of British Columbia develop a strategic plan. The intention is that the plan would align with the mandates of the Ministry and that schools within the district would be in alignment with their annual school learning plans. There is an understanding that the strategic plan would involve opportunities for the broader community to participate in providing feedback which would in turn influence the development of the plan.
In January 2023, the district began the strategic planning process by initiating a ThoughtExchange, asking staff, students, Rightsholders and stakeholders, the overarching question “What are the most important skills, experiences and values our students need to prepare them for success in learning as well as in life?” During a three week period, nearly 900 respondents shared their thoughts and opinions regarding the question. Over 1,000 people engaged in the exchange and the thoughts and ideas which were submitted saw over 22,000 ratings.
Upon conclusion of the exchange, a series of public forums, presentations to the Rotary, student advisory meetings, sharing circles, conversations with members of the local Indian Bands, and a Knowledge Keeper luncheon were held to share the overarching themes from the exchange. Each of the meetings allowed those in attendance to further explore the following questions and statements and to provide their authentic feedback.

• As a school district, what can we do to support the courage, strength, belonging and success of “all” students?
• To ensure my child(ren) can be successful and graduate, School District 83 must create and foster __ in their school experiences.
• What are the barriers that interfere with your child(ren) being successful?
• What skills and attributes do students need to possess to be successful in their future? What are the hopes and dreams you have for your children and grandchildren?

Once all the feedback was collected, a District Strategic Planning Committee was formed with representatives from the following groups: First Nations Education Council (FNEC), District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC), North Okanagan Teachers Association (NOSTA), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Principals and Vice-Principals (PVP), District Student Advisory Committee (DSAC), and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The committee met on seven separate occasions with an additional meeting of a sub-committee to co-construct value statements to bring to the larger group. Members of the Board of Education were given an open invitation to participate in the work of the committee and it was wonderful to have them experience the rich, meaningful dialogue that occurred at these meetings, added Kriger.

This is SD83’s second strategic plan. In February 2017, the Board of Education, and the Superintendent at that time, contracted the Public Consulting Group (PCG) to lead the development of a new strategic plan. The plan focused on the three key priorities of: Students First, Organizational Efficiency, and Culture of Health and Wellness. Though the strategic plan was to expire in July 2022, it was extended for the 2022-23 school year.