Resolutions and Goals

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. It might be a bit late but it is always nice to wish good things for good people. It has been quite a ride these past four weeks, particularly with the weather and its effect on the schools of our area. Who knows what the weather will bring for us in the next few months? As many people do, resolutions have been set for the year 2010, both personally and professionally. The word “resolution” sounds a little more frivolous than the word “goal” but really, they mean about the same thing. I am certainly not going to bore you with my personal goals for this year but I would like to speak about the goals of our schools.
Our school board has taken a bit of a unique approach to district goals in the past few years. We have maintained the same overarching goals for the district since 2007 and have simply changed some of the indicators of success. I think it is difficult to say that our overarching goals are bad or even need to be changed. Our first goal is to improve student achievement. Isn't that what schools do? Improve student achievement? The second big goal of the district is to be fiscally responsible. We have set target numbers for several indicators, such as percent of unspent balance and solvency ratio and we update the board and the Finance Committee on these indicators. In order to accomplish the first goal, we must be good stewards of the taxpayer's money and accomplish goal two. Our last major goal is to institute a comprehensive public relations plan. We are very proud of the opportunities we have for students, at all levels, from free preschool to the college course offerings, from outstanding facilities to great teachers and ancillary staff, from state-wide recognition in activities like Jazz Band and Debate to our successes on the athletic venues. We just want to get the word out that what we have in Okoboji can rival the best schools in the state.
One way of setting goals for the future is to go through what is called a visioning process. Many groups around Dickinson County have gone through this process and will recognize the words. From the vision comes the goals. The Okoboji Schools vision is to have our students leave here proud of their educational experience and confident in their skills to succeed in the future.
In a few weeks, the Okoboji School board will be reviewing these goals and indicators to see if any revisions need to take place. I am excited for this process to take place. In reviewing the district's goals, we also include the administrative team, as they certainly have a vested interest in the success of our school. If you would like to view the mission, vision, core beliefs and goals for the district, we have them on our school's website at www.okoboji.k12.ia.us . Once the board reviews the goals, we will re-post them on the website as well.
The future of education certainly seems to be at a crossroads, particularly with the financial situation our state is experiencing. Being a “glass half full” kind of guy, I believe that things will get better, the economy will turn around, the Iowa Great Lakes region will continue to grow and the Okoboji schools will continue to be a leader of learning within our great state.
Have a wonderful, energetic and blessed 2010 and thanks for your support of the Okoboji Community Schools.