Board of Education Goals – 2008-2009

Learning:  Cultivate a positive and motivating instructional environment that encourages students to challenge themselves and that creates a genuine enthusiasm for learning.  Encourage students to identify and to follow their passions.

Staff Development:  Support research-based opportunities for professional development that incorporate strategies focused on student achievement.  Foster collaborative professional growth opportunities for all staff members.  Nurture creativity and enthusiasm.  Assess the process for evaluation of staff members and their professional development.

Curriculum: Implement the second year of the English Language Arts and Library evaluations. Initiate the foreign language, physical education and health evaluations. Monitor the implementation of the science evaluation recommendations. Continue to review the impact of the Advanced Placement open enrollment program. Encourage an innovative approach to improve all curricular areas.

Fiscal:  Exercise fiscal responsibility while maintaining academic excellence.  Continue the open budget process that offers multiple opportunities for community input.  Support collaboration with local schools and consortiums, legislative outreach, and statewide tax reform efforts in support of public schools and fiscal efficiencies.  Study the options discussed during the Alternative Funding Roundtable meetings.

Facilities:  Start the Pleasantville High School expansion and renovation construction project and the EXCEL (Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning) projects. Implement the Middle School energy performance contract. Continue to examine operations and maintenance for increased efficiencies, environmental soundness and sustainability.  Maintain district property to reflect the expectation of excellence.

Community:  Strengthen and nurture the supportive partnership among school, home, and community.  Improve the meaningful flow of communication with all constituents. Continue to support efforts that create a welcoming atmosphere in all areas of our schools.  Determine the most effective form of voter registration.

Students:  Provide an educational environment that supports learning, positive peer leadership, personal health and well-being, responsibility, service and character.  Help students to acquire the skills that will enable them to integrate experience and knowledge to form reasoned judgments, solve problems and embrace positive social and ethical behaviors.