We have goals!

At last night's Board meeting, we approved the following as the Board of Education's goals for the 2008-2009 school year. (Normally this would happen sooner, but this year we waited to have our Board retreat until Dr. Fishbein had started as superintendent).

Student Learning
Promote academic achievement for all students. Develop a set of metrics to collect baseline data that measures and demonstrates individualized student success in curricular and co-curricular opportunities.

What this means: We want to define the things that are important to us as a district...how do we measure student success in ways other than test scores? Is there a Ridgewood definition of "success" that encompasses academics, extracurriculars, that measures effort in addition to achievement? This year we want to answer these questions, figure out what we want to prioritize, and then we'll proceed to use those metrics to evaluate the district and ourselves.

Communications
Conduct an audit of the two-way flow of information between the district and the community. Identify effective components and areas in need of improvement. Design a community survey instrument to be used in the 2009-2010 school year. Identify the procedures/standards, personnel and budget resources needed to create a highly effective communication system.

What this means: We want to evaluate our communications, both from the Board to the public and from the public to the Board. As part of this evaluation, we will create an annual survey or "report card" or feedback device where parents can tell us how the District and schools are doing. We'll determine where and how our communications can be improved.

Ridgewood Board of Education Policies and Regulations
Review and revise the district's Policy and Procedure Manual, aligning it with state law and code so that it becomes an effective reference and public information tool. Develop new policies that reflect legal mandates and local priorities. Develop a process that ensures ongoing review and updating of the policies and procedures.

What this means: Our Policy Manual needs to be updated, both to incorporate legal requirements and also to make it more user-friendly and more relevant to real, day-to-day life in the District. Updating the policy manual is routine every district must undertake -- it's time to do ours and we want to do it well.

2009-10 Budget and Bond Referendum
Develop a budget that meets the educational needs of all our students and is mindful of the state's budgeting parameters as well as the economic climate in the community. Design a bond referendum that would allow funding for construction of new and improved instructional space, building repairs and capital improvements as identified in our Long Range Facilities Plan and Ridgewood High School Building Evaluation, and possible improvements to athletic facilities.

What this means: Pretty self-explanatory, isn't it? It's going to be a tough budget year, and we're going to have to create a budget AND come up with a smart, comprehensive, fair, efficient and forward-thinking referendum to meet our pressing needs.

Let me know if you have any questions...