District launches strategic planning process

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 29, 2007) -- The City School District of Albany began a new strategic planning process Nov. 29-Dec. 1 with a three-day working session of a 25-member team that built a vision and goals for the district’s future, and strategies to achieve them.

Efforts leading to the development of the strategic planning process have been ongoing since June, including a series of presentations at Board of Education meetings this fall. With the Strategic Planning Team's initial work complete, the board provided a report of this first phase of the strategic planning process at its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Albany High School.     Dr. Joseph (center) discusses a component of the

The board is scheduled to vote on approving the team's initial         strategic plan during the Nov. 30 session.

work at its Dec. 20 meeting at North Albany Academy.

Consultants SoarPoint Associates, engaged by the district to facilitate this process, provided guidance on the composition of the Strategic Planning Team and the process itself. The Strategic Planning Team is comprised of a broad range of representatives from the district and community, and represents diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and expertise. Click here for a list of team members.

“This is an exciting – and at the same time challenging – time for the City School District of Albany as we continue our progress toward success for all students,” said Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D. “Bringing together a collective team of community stakeholders dedicated to the long-term improvement and progress of our city’s public schools to develop a strategic vision that will guide the district to best meet the needs of our students is essential.”

Over the course of three eight-hour sessions at the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Albany on Nov. 29-Dec. 1, SoarPoint Associates representatives guided the team through facilitated decision-making, alternating large- and small-group discussions    City of Albany Commissioner of Youth and Family

and written exercises. The product of the team's work is the          Services Faye Andrews (left), Board of Education

result of consensus-driven decisions and is considered the             member Mark Barth, Ph.D. (center), and Cathy

initial phase of the strategic planning process.                               Corbo, an Albany middle school teacher and pres-

                                                                                                                                ident of the Albany Public School Teachers Asso-

The team reviewed relevant reports and materials, analyzed ma-    ciation, participate in a small-group discussion.

terials and made informed decisions, and developed the follow-      

ing strategic plan components:

• Enduring value statements

• Mission statement

• Strategic boundaries

• Student performance objectives

• Strategies

Following Tuesday's report by the board, the district will convene a number of action teams, or working groups, comprised of additional stakeholders from across the district and community, to develop action plans to meet each strategy. This process will be ongoing throughout the 2007-08 school year.

The City School District of Albany serves approximately 9,000 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. The district   includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other   innovative academic opportunities for students in addition to neighborhood schools. The district is more than halfway through   

its comprehensive facilities project to newly build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary and middle schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is to provide schools with the resources      Albany attorney and public-school parent John

necessary to help students succeed in the 21st century.              Higgins (center) shares his thoughts on the dis-

                                                                                                                                trict's future during a large-group discussion.