MISSION

and

STRATEGIC PLAN

of the

KAMIAH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Mission

The Kamiah School District, a partnership of students, parents, educators, and community members, is committed to ensuring a safe, nurturing environment where people are challenged to academic excellence, individual responsibility, personal success, and life-long learning while reflecting community values and respecting diversity.

Vision Narrative

A description of the future of the Kamiah School District

Programs:

The Kamiah School District views education as a lifelong process.  Faculty and staff strive to instill a purpose for learning.  Toward this end the district provides:

• Student-centered instruction based on best teaching practices.
• A locally written curriculum aligned with State and Federal standards.
• Alternative scheduling to meet all student and related community needs.
• Assessment of demonstrable skills contained in the curriculum.
• Alternatives to the A-F grading system such as pass/fail, portfolios, skills-based assessments, etc.
• Positive opportunities for students to participate in extra-curricular activities.
• A consistent and equitable discipline program, Pre-K through 12^th grade.
• A comprehensive, age-appropriate counseling program.

Personnel:

The Kamiah School District recognizes that every employee is a vital part of the educational process.  Kamiah School District personnel work together to support, facilitate, and guide the educational process.  Administrators are creative and collaborative leaders.  The Kamiah School District is committed to:

• Recruitment and retention.
• Professional development.
• New personnel orientation.
• Communication between colleagues, administration, and community.
• Staff mentoring.
• A thorough evaluation process.
• Human resource planning.

Logistical Support:

The financial resources and physical environment of Kamiah School District meet the needs of all stakeholders.  Foremost considerations include:

• Continued support for computer technologies.
• Providing financial resources for improvement of existing facilities.
• A safe and climate-controlled learning environment.
• Ongoing evaluation and selection of teaching materials based on district curriculum.
• Continued maintenance and modernization of district transportation.
• Nutritious food services.
• An aggressive program of grant writing to support special projects.
• Expansion of facilities to meet school and community needs.

Planning:

The Kamiah School District uses a strategic planning process to establish policy and manage change.  Decisions are based on internal and external information.  This process is designed to meet our ongoing needs and includes:

• District policies governing the strategic planning process.
• A strategic planning committee comprised of staff, students, and community members.
• Identification of needs and establishment of objectives and action teams to meet those needs.
• Needs assessments used to establish district and individual school priorities.
• Partnerships with special interest groups such as PTO, Indian Education Parent Committee, KEA, and other community entities.  

Communications:

The Kamiah School District believes open and honest communication among parents, community, students, faculty, senior citizens, volunteers, PTO, administrators, and school board members is vital for success.  Information is gathered and shared through:

• All available technologies and communication systems.
• Ongoing dialogue within the school system and community related to performance expectations and learner achievements.
• An emphasis on internal and external communication where all concerns are heard and discussed, and possible solutions are generated.
• An annual evaluation to determine the effectiveness of district communications.

 Philosophy

The Kamiah School District believes that:

• Students are our number one priority.
• Students should have an understanding that learning is a life-long process.
• Students should enter ready to learn and exit prepared for the future.
• We all share the responsibility to create understanding and harmony among all races, cultures, and traditions.
• The family unit is the primary influence in the development of personal values.
• A safe and caring environment is essential in providing a thorough education.
• Continuous improvement and change are the result of ongoing review and evaluation.
• Our schools reflect community values and prepare students to participate in our democratic society.
• School facilities are for community education and enrichment.
• Individuals are ultimately responsible and accountable for their actions and education.

 Exiting Outcomes

 Students exiting from Kamiah School District will:

• Possess an awareness of the diverse cultures and individuals that they encounter in a global society.
• Be self-directed, life-long learners.
• Have the skills to think critically, solve problems, and make appropriate decisions.
• Become responsible and contributing citizens in a continually changing economic world.

Strategic Planning Guidelines

As the Kamiah School District strives to achieve our vision and accomplish our mission, we will operate within the following guidelines:

• The superintendent and Board of Trustees have established a continuous strategic planning process with reviews and updates occurring every two years.

• All building-level and departmental strategic and action plans must be consistent with Kamiah School District’s strategic plan.

• Bond or levy requests for school construction or maintenance and operations are based on community input and demonstrated needs.

• Quality will not be compromised for cost.
• All proposals for new programs must be accompanied by:

1.       a rationale and justification of need;

2.       a clearly developed vision narrative and mission statement with identification of intended outcomes;

3.       identification of resources;

3.       a staffing plan;

4.       an evaluation plan, including criteria and standards.

Strategic Objectives

Objective:  To educate community members and personnel about shared decision-making involved in the strategic planning process.

Strategy:  Formulate a program to inform all community groups/stakeholders about the strategic plan and solicit feedback.

Objective:  To develop a comprehensive, K-12 curriculum aligned with Idaho State exiting standards.

Strategy:  Establish District-wide committees to revisit, map, and align curriculum.

Objective:  To identify the personnel necessary to operate and maintain quality programs. 

Strategy:  Recruit, develop, and retain high quality personnel to implement the District’s strategic plan and philosophy.

Objective:  To obtain funding to continue required programs and to perform necessary facilities upgrades.

Strategy #1:  Pursue public and private funding sources.

Strategy #2:  Communicate the District’s financial needs and funding constraints.

Strategy #3:  Prioritize needs:

1.       Track

2.       Heating/air conditioning and weatherization

3.       Maintain technology equipment and personnel

Objective:  To improve the quality of communication within the District and between the community and District personnel.

Strategy #1:  Distribute a District-wide quarterly newsletter to inform patrons of significant actions and decisions within the schools.

Strategy #2:  Hold a K-12 “State of the District” meeting at the beginning of the year to review the previous year and set goals for the upcoming year.

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The Kamiah School District is proud to have a Strategic Plan in place.  This document will provide the framework for the restructuring and reform necessary to meet the demands of the 21^st century.  Those deserving credit for developing the Strategic Plan are:

Dr. Gary Delka, University of Idaho

Kim Berdar, Board Member

Dallas Taylor, Superintendent

Debbie Breshears, Clerk of the Board

Gordon Steinbis, Principal

Fred Mercer, Principal

Mike Fischer, Technology Coordinator

Beth Davis, Special Education Director

Lena Kuester, High School Teacher

Pat St. Tourangeau, Media Specialist

Cary Foster, Middle School Teacher

Rick Tousley, Middle School Teacher

Julie Fulton, Elementary Teacher

Marci Jennings, Elementary Teacher

Amy Kay, High School Student

Mary Stinchcomb, Community Member

Ted Weeks, Community Member

Elayne Murphy, Community Member

John Hagen, Community Member

Marci Bailey, Community Member

Kelly Rupp, Community Member