Strategic-plan
Strategic Plan / Plan Estratégico
What is the GAPS Strategic Plan?
The GAPS Strategic Plan is an outline of priorities and objectives the school district utilizes to achieve its mission of building bridges to lifelong learning and brighter futures. The priorities and objectives promote the district’s values and beliefs, which are:
Build lifelong learners
Respect individuals and community
Instruct at the highest level, preparing students for life
Design systems that represent all voices
Grow social, emotional, and physical well-being
Engage multiple perspectives
Strengthen relationships
The three priorities are:
- Equitable outcomes and systems for all students
- Social, emotional, and mental health supports
- Rigorous and engaging academics
To achieve these priorities, the district has agreed upon a set of objectives and strategies which align with each priority. These objectives are short-term goals and the strategies are the actions the district plans to take to achieve these short-term goals. To learn about these objectives and goals, click on the priorities below.
In 2019, the school district started the process of developing a new strategic plan. With the goal of representing all students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members in this process, the district asked the GAPS community to participate in engagement surveys. Additionally, the district held community forms in October 2019 to receive feedback and input on how to improve the district.
On Nov. 5, 2019, the Strategic Planning Team met for the first time. The Team continued to meet until February 2020. On Feb. 24, 2020, the framework of the strategic plan was adopted by the GAPS Board of Directors. Progress on the development of the strategic plan was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Interim Superintendent Rob Saxton (2021-22), a strategic planning committee was developed at the beginning of 2022. This team met bi-monthly to develop and build upon the framework that had been established prior to the pandemic. The committee included community members such as parents, students, business owners, and non-profit coordinators. Additionally, the committee included internal district employees such as principals, teachers, human resource administrators, and more. For a comprehensive list of committee members, click here. On June 13, 2022, the Board unanimously moved to approve the Strategic Plan Objective and Strategies as presented.
Metrics and Sources
To ensure that GAPS achieves its goals of equitable outcomes, health supports, and engaging academics, the district has created a variety of metrics to measure growth and development. These metrics are measured using multiple sources, such as surveys to staff and parents, and student data collected in the Student Information System (SIS). Some metrics used to measure priority development include the percent of students chronically absent per grade, the percent of high school students enrolled in at least one AP course, and the average number of personal development hours completed per teacher. More information on metrics and sources will be made available as the Strategic Plan is published.
Next Steps
The district will now begin the work of identifying Strategic Plan metrics throughout the fall. The completed Strategic Plan is slated to return to the Board for final approval this winter.