GFW Public Schools Strategic Plan

GFW Public Schools completed a strategic planning process in early 2021 with strong community participation. The process involved a number of ways for community members to be involved including several listening sessions with the superintendent that took place in across the district along with equity and district surveys to community members, staff, and students, and a strategic planning committee made up of almost 50 community members. The Minnesota School Boards Association assisted in the development and facilitation of the planning process and provided guidance to the district throughout.

Belief Statements

We believe:

  1. Our school is the heart of a unified community where students and community are interconnected.

  2. The foundation of a community of learners requires integrity and mutual respect where all voices are heard, considered, and valued.

  3. Education will take place in an inclusive environment with equitable opportunities for a lifetime of learning and earning for students of all backgrounds.

  4. In preparing our students for the future by engaging them in learning opportunities that meet their individual needs that are relevant for the 21st Century.

  5. Students will reach their full potential and become successful, responsible citizens in a diverse society.

Mission Statement

The Mission of GFW Public Schools is to:

Provide an equitable and quality education that meets the individual needs of our students to thrive in the 21st Century.

Vision Statement

G-Growing, F-Future, W-World Class Leaders.

GFW logo

Teacher working with student

Middle school students posing together

Students smiling while working on a group project

Students painting in art class

Focus Area

Goals

Objectives

Student Achievement

1. GFW will achieve the goals of the Every Student Succeeds Act and Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (FKA World’s Best Workforce) for all students in the school district.

2. GFW will implement a continuous improvement framework based on research and aligned to Every Student Succeeds Act and Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness.

1.1. GFW will annually evaluate the success of meeting the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness:

  • Academic Achievement

  • All students are Kindergarten ready;

    Ready Community • Ready Families

    Ready Schools • Ready Students

  • All students reading at grade level by third grade

  • Closing the achievement gap for identified student groups

  • MCA Proficiency

  • Academic Progress

  • English Language Proficiency

  • MCA Growth

  • Consistent Attendance

  • Career and College Readiness

  • Graduation Rates

2.1. GFW will use evidence-based practices and strategies that increase student achievement.

2.2. GFW will provide staff training to achieve fidelity of implementation.

2.3. GFW will support students to create career and college readiness plans by the end of 8th grade.

2.4. GFW will provide increased access to opportunities in the six career fields, clusters, and pathways created by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

Finance

3. GFW will develop and maintain a fiscally sustainable budget.

3.1. By the end of fiscal year 2022, GFW will be out of statutory operating debt.

3.2. By the end of fiscal year 2022, GFW will review and update its fund balance policy to meet the recommendations of its auditors and MDE.

3.3. By the end of fiscal year 2023, GFW will maintain a fund balance in alignment with its policy.

3.4. By the end of fiscal year 2023, GFW will create a sustainable replacement schedule for each department.

3.5. By the end of fiscal year 2025, GFW will establish a facility plan.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

4. GFW will develop and implement an equity framework.

4.1. By July 2022, GFW will develop an equity policy.

4.2. By July 2023, GFW will create an equity framework.

4.3. By July 2024, GFW will create an implementation plan for the equity framework.

Community and Family Engagement

5. GFW will empower families and foster partnerships to support students birth to 21 within and outside of our schools.

5.1. GFW will ensure equitable access to programs, initiatives, and information for all families to successfully navigate our school system.

5.2. GFW will strengthen and expand family engagement and partnerships to support student success.

5.3. GFW will create a communications plan to increase community and family engagement.

5.4. GFW will create community partnerships to increase student career and college readiness opportunities.

Positive School Climate

6. GFW will inspire a shared sense of community built on trust, collaboration, and safety, where individuals are encouraged to thrive and grow.

6.1. Through a collaboration of stakeholders, GFW will develop a positive school climate model where all individuals can show up as their full selves.

6.2. GFW will create an implementation plan for a positive school climate model.

6.3. GFW will develop a system of mental health information, access, and support.

Strategic Planning Process Updates

The following updates were provided during the process of strategic planning.