Mainland Regional

High School District

Strategic Plan, 2007-2012

October 2007

Acknowledgments

The Strategic Planning Process could not have occurred without the support and cooperation of the Mainland Regional High School Board of Education. It is rare for a governing body to provide a vehicle where the community can provide input concerning the operation of the school district. This board has consistently supported the process and the efforts over the past ten years.

Mainland Regional High School Board of Education

Dr. Bradford Jungels, President

Ms. Susan Slaughter, Vice President

Mr. Thomas Cox

Mr. Keith Ferguson

Mr. John Medica

Mr. Thomas Oliver

Ms. Janice Ojserkis

Mr. Thomas Ritter

Mr. Richard Woolston

Mr. Stephen Patrick

Past Member

Dr. Russell Dever, Superintendent

Dr. Robert Blake, Principal

Many thanks go to the faculty, students and members of the community who provided input and ideas during the development of this document. Their efforts and support were instrumental in making this strategic plan the guide for continued growth over the next five years.

October 2007

Mainland Regional High School District

Mission Statement

The Mainland Regional High School District provides an environment of excellence supporting the educational, emotional, physical, and ethical well-being of all students through a partnership of home, school and community.

Mainland Regional High School District

Beliefs

We believe that all students want to participate in an educational environment which inspires continuous learning, provides opportunities to excel and is guided by positive role-models and mentors.

We believe that parents are the most important people in their child’s development and are responsible for their child becoming productive members of society.

We believe that the staff is well motivated, demonstrates sensitivity, understanding, professional commitment, and ownership in the education of their students, while inspiring life-long learning.

We believe that school leaders are risk takers, committed to the educational goals of the community, vigilant in obtaining and sharing new knowledge for the operation of the school, and are providing the best educational environment, in a fair and equitable manner.

We believe that the community is united in the common goal of providing the best possible education through networking and resource sharing, while reaching out to insure a cooperative citizenry.

Mainland Regional High School District

Strategic Plan Goals, 2007-2012

Curriculum

1. Will provide equal opportunities for all students based on abilities, needs & interests

2. Develop mechanisms to enhance alignment between sending districts & MRHS

3. Acquire & utilize innovative techniques & tools to address changing curriculum

Communication

External

Maximize use of existing MRHS communication tools, i.e. radio station, television, Internet
Develop annual PR/Communication action plan

Internal

Create more comprehensive guidance tools for parents/students from grades 9 – 12
Enhance communication channels between parents-teachers/administrator/BOE; teacher-teacher; teacher-administrator

Climate

Student: to provide & communicate support mechanisms for students’ emotional, social & academic needs
Staff: to ensure an environment for open dialogue between staff & administration
School: to improve MRHS PRIDE among all stakeholders

Finance

Identify & pursue new revenue opportunities
Get annual budget passed & develop strategic plan to communicate & promote budget in future
Find & implement controls where ever feasible

Facilities

Evaluate the options for providing a facility compatible with our mission statement

2. Communicate to the community the results of the evaluation and options presented that will accomplish our goals

Devise a funding strategy that is supported by the community

Mainland Regional High School

Strategic Planning Process

District Goals and Objectives/Action Plan

Goal 1: Provide an Excellent Curriculum
Objective 1: Will provide equal opportunities for all students based on abilities, needs & interests
Current Activities Related to the Objective: Differentiated Instruction, IEP Meetings, Counseling Services
Activities	Staff	Resources	Constraints	Timeline	Indicator of Success
Create a committee of parents, students, staff, and administration to examine curriculum, assessment, and student achievement issues.	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Parents, Students	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Schedule, Time, Volunteers	1/2008	Committee Formed, Minutes of Meetings
Review Current State Standards (NJCCCS)	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Time, Paperwork	1/2008, 1/2009, 1/2010, 1/2011, 1/2012	Curriculum Reflects Standards
Review course curriculum guidelines	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Time, Paperwork	2/2008, 2/2009, 2/2010, 2/2011, 2/2012	Course Guidelines and Implementation in the Classroom
Research current national trends and curricula used by other districts	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials, Substitutes	Time, Paperwork, Scheduling, Funds	1/2008, 1/2009, 1/2010, 1/2011, 1/2012	Course Offerings, Teacher Resources

Continue to enhance the freshman peer mentoring program	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Guidance, Students	Students, Peer Mentors, Teachers, Internet	Time, Paperwork, Scheduling	6/2008, 6/2010, 6/2012	School Climate, Student-Teacher Interactions
Research the development and implementation of: interdisciplinary courses, career and technical education programs, community based instruction and internships	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Guidance, Students	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials, Substitutes	Time, Paperwork, Scheduling, Funds	1/2009, 1/2011	Course Offerings, Student Opportunities
Provide the tools and technology to meet changing standards and curriculum and the support to use effectively	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, IT Staff,	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials, Substitutes	Time, Scheduling, Funds	1/2009, 1/2012	Available Resources
Consider options for revising the grading system	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Guidance, Students, Parents	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Time, Scheduling, Available Options	3/2009	Consideration and Implementation
Compare AP and IB programs to promote academic excellence.	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Guidance, Students, Parents	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials, Substitutes	Time, Scheduling, Funds	3/2010	Consideration and Implementation

Consider the use of electives to increase equity for all students	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Guidance, Students, Parents	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Time, Scheduling, Facility, funds	3/2009	Increase Electives, Enrollment Data
Consider heterogeneous grouping for all students	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Guidance, Students	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Time, Scheduling	3/2010	Consideration and Implementation

Mainland Regional High School

Strategic Planning Process

District Goals and Objectives/Action Plan

Goal 1: Provide an Excellent Curriculum
Objective 2: Develop Mechanisms to Enhance Alignment Between Sending Districts and MRHS
Current Activities Related to the Objectives: Constituency Council Meetings, Articulation Meetings
Activities	Staff	Resources	Constraints	Timeline	Indicator of Success
Review Current State Standards K-12 (NJCCCS)	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Time, Paperwork	1/2008, 1/2009, 1/2010, 1/2011, 1/2012	Curriculum Reflects Standards, Understanding of Prior Years Standards
Explore the possibility of creating a curriculum map, K-12, through a joint effort of all four districts	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, (Both Sending District and MRHS)	Staff, Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Time, Paperwork	1/2009, 1/2011	Minutes of Exploratory Meetings, Curriculum Map Completed
Enhance efforts to coordinate the curriculum K-12 though the constituency council	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, (Both Sending District and MRHS)	Staff, Internet Research Materials	Time, Scheduling	1/2008, 1/2009, 1/2010, 1/2011, 1/2012	Further Coordination, Minutes of Meetings

Explore the possibility of creating student service projects involving the four districts	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, (Both Sending District and MRHS)	Staff, Internet Research Materials	Time, Scheduling, Funds	3/2009, 3/2010, 3/2011, 3/2012	Minutes of Exploratory Meetings, Projects Completed
Review possible state efforts to promote regionalization	Various MRHS and Sending District Administration, BOE	Staff. Computers, Internet, Research Materials	Time	3/2009, 3/2011	Options Reviewed

Mainland Regional High School

Strategic Planning Process

District Goals and Objectives/Action Plan

Goal 1: Provide an Excellent Curriculum
Objective 3: Acquire and Utilize Techniques and Tools to Address Changing Curriculum
Current Activities Related to the Objectives: Professional Development Opportunities, Technology Purchases
Activities	Staff	Resources	Constraints	Timeline	Indicator of Success
Explore curriculum initiatives that allow students to graduate with the needed skills to be successful at the next level (employment, post-secondary education)	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Guidance, Students, Parents	Staff, Research Materials	Time, Scheduling	6/2009, 6/2011	Minutes of Meetings, Initiatives Proposed
Research curricular models (Smaller Learning Communities) that provide personalization and support for all students and make recommendations	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Guidance, Students, Parents	Staff, Research Materials, Substitutes	Time, Scheduling, Funds	6/2009, 6/2011	Minutes of Meetings, Recommendations Made
Upgrade technology infrastructure as curriculum demands	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Technology Staff	Staff, Research Materials	Funds	6/2008, 6/2010, 6/2012	Upgrades Completed

Upgrade hardware and software as curriculum demands	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Technology Staff	Staff, Research Materials	Funds	6/2008, 6/2010, 6/2012	New Hardware and Software Added
Consider additional technology support (personnel) as the curriculum demands	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Technology Staff	Staff, Research Materials	Funds	3/2009, 3/2011	New Personnel Added
Investigate additional options for technology funding	Administration, Supervisors, Teachers, Technology Staff	Staff, Internet, Research Materials	Time, Paperwork	10/2008, 10/2009, 10/2010, 10/2011	Increase in Funds

Mainland Regional High School

Strategic Planning Process

District Goals and Objectives/Action Plan

Goal 2: Improve Communication Within the MRHS District and With the Community
Objective 1: Maximize use of existing MRHS communication tools, i.e. radio station, television, Internet
Current Activities Related to the Objectives: Website, TV Station, Radio Station
Activities	Staff	Resources	Constraints	Timeline	Indicator of Success
Consider the annual upgrade of equipment for the TV station and radio station.	Administration, TV Station Director	Media Professionals, Staff, Community Members, Local Gov’t.	Funds, Facility	1/2008, 1/2009, 1/2010, 1/2011, 1/2012	Purchase and Use of Equipment
Develop on an annual basis, new programming for the TV station and radio station.	Administration, TV Station Director	Staff, Community Members, Media Professionals	Schedule, Funds, Equipment, Personnel	6/2008, 6/2009, 6/2010, 6/2011, 6/2012	Airing of Additional Programs
Evaluate on an annual basis, the MRHS website.	Administration, Webmaster	Staff, IT Staff, IT Professionals, Students, Community Members	Personnel, Funds, Schedule, Time	6/2008, 6/2009, 6/2010, 6/2011, 6/2012	Positive Community Feedback

Mainland Regional High School

Strategic Planning Process

District Goals and Objectives/Action Plan

Goal 2: Improve Communication Within the MRHS District and With the Community
Objective 2: Develop annual PR/Communication action plan.
Current Activities Related to the Objectives: Newsletters, TV Programs
Activities	Staff	Resources	Constraints	Timeline	Indicator of Success
Establish a communications committee with the purpose of developing a PR/Communication Plan	Administration, Staff, Parents, Students, community Members	Media Professionals, Internet Research, Community Members, Local Media	Time, Schedule, Volunteers	5/2008, 5/2010, 5/2012	Plan Completed, Recommendations made
Evaluate and update PR/Communications Plan.	Administration, Communications Committee, Staff	Media Professionals, Internet Research, Community Member, Local Media	Time, Schedule, Volunteers, Personnel	5/2009, 5/2011	Plan Upgraded, Recommendations made
Review plan with local community.	Administration, Communications Committee, Staff	Communications Plan	Time, Schedule, Personnel	6/2008, 6/2009, 6/2010, 6/2011, 6/2012	Plan Presented to Local Community

Mainland Regional High School

Strategic Planning Process

District Goals and Objectives/Action Plan

Goal 2: Improve Communication Within the MRHS District and With the Community
Objective 3: Create more comprehensive guidance tools for parents/students from grades 9 – 12
Current Activities Related to the Objectives: Guidance Information on Website
Activities	Staff	Resources