Let's Get Strategic - Case Study 14

Case 14 – Let’s Get Strategic

Background – Strategic planning is a long-range activity that relies on a mission statement and environmental scans to produce a collective vision statement, short-term goals, goal attainment strategies and assessment and evaluation data.

Averton School District – had an 80% spike in population from 1950-1970 (due to manufacturing jobs). At its peak educated over 24,000 students down to just over 14,000. 30% of schools have closed its doors.

Monroe Elementary School is home to 350 students preschool to 5th grade.

@55% free or reduced lunch – 74% of students & 56% of employees are of color.

New Principal inherits a low performing school in a district she currently teaches in. She accepts this position with knowledge that her predecessors dismissal (see #1).

Problem Framing

1. The main problem – For the past three years, the previous principal developed and filed an underdeveloped/flawed strategic plan to the state department.

~ Issues included: did not include any type of needs assessment/no evidence that stakeholders were consulted with the planning. /vision statement was ambiguous & didn’t address state requirements/short term goals were general and not measurable/no evaluation component in plan.

Current State – After multiple attempts to rectify a laze faire approach to building a strategic plan for the Monroe School, leads to the dismissal of principal. Employees of the school shared the lack of knowledge and negative attitude regarding strategic planning and are disheartened by the loss of their leader. Furthermore, employees are resisting new principals efforts.

Desired State – The school will unite to collaborate on creating an effective strategic plan and in the process renew their sense of commitment to their students.

Difficulty closing the gap

1. A learned helplessness among staff

2. Lack of motivation & engagement (i.e. teacher buy in)

3. Preconceived notions of...