Cincinnati Public Schools is launching a three-year strategic plan Friday. Superintendent Laura Mitchell lays out the five-point roadmap during the Back to School Community Address.
The school board adopted it Wednesday after a year of planning and meetings with community stakeholders, school and business leaders, and parents.
"The key message is this," says Chief Communications Officer Lauren Worley. "Cincinnati Public Schools is a district that's growing."
The district's facilities master plan was written with the expectation of 26,000 students in 2019. There are 36,000 students enrolled this year.
"We need a strategic plan that not only guides our growth but also making sure we have the expanded choices and opportunities for students and families," Worley says.
The strategic plan's five goals are:
- Student-Centered Decision Making
- Health and Safety
- Community Engagement and Influence
- Optimized Capabilities
- Growth
Students will see some changes right away when they return to classrooms on Aug. 19, Worley says.
"It's our focus on their safety; focus on driving attendance, we do have chronic attendance issues that we're working on. They're going to see improvements in transportation. They're going to see more options in their food choices."
Other changes will take a little longer to implement. Those include investments in technology, the latest practices, and workforce (teachers and principals).
The district is reprioritizing $51 million from various places to put toward the goals.
Stargel Stadium Update
Construction on the new Stargel Stadium is nearly complete. Football teams are already practicing on the turf. Worley says there's still finishing work being done on the track, locker rooms and concession stands.
The first game is set for Aug. 28 and a ribbon cutting is planned for Sept. 13.
