The Strategic Plan is based on the District's Mission, Vision and Academic Statements

Area of Excellence: Curriculum and Instruction

Goal:  Sustain the relevance and excellence of the curriculum including leveraging technology

Objective: Evaluate curriculum on a continuous basis

Objective: Prepare students for a global society by teaching 21st Century skills.

Objective: Integrate technology into curriculum and instruction

Potential Indicators of Success:

• Align curriculum with 21st Century student outcomes
•  Implement an approved District Technology Plan
• Utilize membership in student sharing networks  
• Maintain student achievement levels per the District Academic Statement
• Provide enhanced programming for Pre-K - 5 students
  

 Area of Excellence: Finance

Goal : Demonstrate fiscal responsibility

Objective: Operate annual fiscal budgets where revenues meet and/or exceed expenditures of operating funds: Education, Operations & Maintenance, Transportation, Working Cash, Tort and IMRF.

Objective: Maintain responsible fund balance reserves to ensure fiscal stability

Potential Indicators of Success:

• Develop and approve annual budgets which are within district means and align with district goals
• Sustain aggregate fund balance reserves that are at least 30% of the district’s annual aggregate expenditure budget
• Strive for a balanced operating budget, with justification of any variance from a balanced operating budget presented for Board approval

Area of Excellence: Facilities

Goal:  Maintain facilities that are updated and  safe to support our learning environments

Objective: Provide appropriate educational spaces for all students

Objective: Update district buildings to be efficient and to accommodate the changing needs of the staff and students.

Objective: Operate the facilities in an environmentally aware and cost-effective manner

Potential Indicators of Success:

• Align district facility use through annual evaluation and prioritization of educational space and program needs
• Address needs identified in the 10-year Life Safety Study
• Operate facilities in an on-going way that supports wellness for staff and students
  

Area of Excellence: Climate and Communications

Goal:  Create the means and motivation to engage the entire community

Objective: Place increased emphasis on community involvement

Objective: Operate in a framework that promotes a climate of trust, honesty, and respect among all district stakeholders

Potential Indicators of Success:

• Complete a communications audit
• Implement strategies identified in the communications audit
• Increase community outreach by District 57 administrators and board members
• Furnish opportunities for parents and community members to be informed and involved in building and district issues, including utilizing technology
• Define and prioritize roles and responsibilities of the Board of Education and the District administration
• Provide opportunities for adult learning to broaden social networks within the community
• Present an annual communication report on effectiveness of communications efforts

Area of Excellence: Human Resources

Goal:  Faculty, staff, and administrators will be highly qualified, involved and motivated

Objective: Recruit, hire, train and retain highly qualified personnel

Objective: Provide high quality, on-going professional development support for all employees while maximizing student contact time

Potential Indicators of Success:

• Provide fair and honorable working conditions for all staff
• Expand recruiting activities
• Continue mentoring programs
• Apply the national standards of professional development to ensure “best practices”
• Investigate the use of professional development coaches and curriculum coordinators at each building
• Support the professional staff in their candidacy for National Board Certification
• Research alternative methods of professional development