West Central work session reviews the strategic plan
The West Central School Board was recently enlightened as to where the school is headed in the future and how the corporation is moving forward to meet the state educational expectations.
During a work session on Feb. 19, the board heard from school principals, Dan Zylstra and Pat Culp, the technology director Kris Aschbrenner and superintendent Don Street.
The strategic plan that was developed in 2011, addresses issues such as technology, academics, buildings and grounds, the corporation vision or mission, educational goals, financial goals and policy goals.
Street said the plan is “revised based on the needs of the district. Then in a year or two we will revise it again.”
One of the main topics regarding technology was the 1:1 program that students, staff and parents are learning the benefits of. Students are using Chromebooks or iPads as educational tools.
Street said the 1:1 program is one of the items in the strategic plan that has been accomplished by the district.
In regards to academics, school principals are looking at inclusion practices in regards to special needs students and middle school students.
Inclusion practices for middle school students include changing the student schedules to eight periods in a day. Students will continue to receive 80 minutes of math and language arts. It allows for students to receive 40 minutes of instruction and then return for 40 minutes of additional assistance.
“The labs will allow kids to get some remediation if they need it or if they are high-ability they can have some advanced work,” Street said. “It shouldn’t take away. It should get the same amount of instruction.”
Board members also reviewed the Capital Projects Plans for the next three years. Street said the aging of the buildings is being taken into consideration and updates will soon need to be done.
Some of the areas that need a serious look include the sewer drains, electric panels, lighting, windows, doors, security system, restrooms, storage, locker rooms, sidewalks and fitness facilities.
“We need to take a closer look at updating because eventually these things are just going to wear out,” Street said. “We probably got our money’s worth out of quite a few of them.”
Of the items that were mentioned, some are in the Capital Projects Plan, while some are not, according to Street.
A few of the projects such as the electric panels that are original and sewer drains will need to be reviewed by professionals because of the extensive updating.
“Maybe a few things can be done in the next couple of years but we are looking down the road maybe five years,” Street said.
The strategic plan will now be revised and presented to the board for approval.’