BOARD GOALS FOR 2003-2004
Adopted: September 23, 2003

Primary Board Goal: Successful Management of Continuing Enrollment Growth

The Board reaffirms its long-term goal, and will continue to devote its primary attention, and invite the public's renewed attention, to the challenge of refining and implementing a comprehensive plan for managing the District's continuing growth in enrollment. Focus on the interrelated issues of facilities, demographics, class size, transportation, and budget will include:

• Facilities - Implement approved plans for improvement of athletic and physical education facilities. Study the adequacy of classroom and core space at each building; plan and seek approval for such facilities for five-year needs, with reflection on possible ten year needs as well. Refine maintenance systems for district facilities.
  
• Demographics - Evaluate and revise demographic predictions in close cooperation with the Town of North Castle and professional consultants, with particular attention to the question of possible changes in trend over five and ten year projection periods, and the implications of those trends for related aspects of this goal.
  
• Class Size - Implement appropriate class size guidelines, planning related aspects of staffing, space, and budget in order to adopt such guidelines for 2004-2005 and the balance of the five year projection period.
  
• Transportation - Implement the first stage of a five-year plan to address busing needs, while continuing to evaluate and refine the size of our bus fleet and current bus capacities, occupancy rates, and route times.
  
• Budget - Implement the first stage of a five-year budget plan that seeks to balance budget expectations and community support with the needs above. Evaluate and refine the plan in order to maintain a continuing five-year projection.

Board Goal: State and Federal Policy

The Board will also strive, in concert with other education constituencies, to study and plan means of influencing state and federal policy and regulation in the areas of assessment, funding, and mandate relief. Seeking consistency with the district's own mission statement, the Board will seek to advocate for fair and balanced testing, including local demonstrations of performance; for equitable funding; and for significant reductions in unnecessary mandates, or funding for necessary mandates.

Board/Administrative Goals: Ongoing Priorities in Curriculum, Staffing, and Core Values

The Board also affirms and strongly supports the ongoing efforts of administration, faculty and staff on priorities that enhance the cultural, academic, and athletic opportunities in our district and strengthen the character of our students. Key points of focus for continuing work, and engagement with the Board at appropriate intervals, include:

• K-12 Curriculum - Continue to implement improvements in alignment and articulation of curriculum across the district's schools, with particular attention to the completion of K-12 curriculum mapping. Evaluate K-12 mathematics through a Tri State consortium visit. Plan further authentic performance assessments to engage student enthusiasm in the learning process. Refine programmatic attention to all students' individual learning needs.
• Core Values and Character Education - Implement a systematic approach to the District's mission of building productive and responsible citizens for the twenty-first century by focusing on three themes: service and kindness (K-12), sportsmanship (8-12), and anti-bullying and pro-social skills (K-8).
  
• Staff Recruitment and Retention - Reflect on efforts to recruit, develop, and retain the best possible professional and support staff; plan and implement further improvements including outreach to diverse and previously underutilized recruitment sources. Complete and implement new CSEA contract. Study and plan for teachers' contract renewal. Implement changes in leadership roles and administrators' contract.