Marion board of education identifies strategies at retreat
Curriculum, assessment, community involvement, and P.R. were the strategies emerging from a Marion-Florence USD 408 Board of Education Retreat held Oct. 11 at school district offices in Marion.
The first strategy adopted states, "We will develop a curriculum program and an assessment system which will meet the goals of our mission and objectives."
Under this strategy, the board plans to work to earn state Standard of Excellence recognition at all grade levels and in all curricular disciplines.
This will entail:
— Providing extra learning time for students who need it via such strategies as summer school, homework assistance and mandatory study time.
— Conducting regular, systematic reviews of the K-12 curriculum.
— Holding staff accountable for student performance.
Improved student performance will be sought on subjects and ideas not covered by the Quality Performance Accreditation system, such as life skills, fiscal/economic literacy and respect/civility.
The board also pledged to work to improve the K-6 general music program.
Strategy No. 2 states "We will ensure full involvement of our school district community in providing the necessary resources and facilities to accomplish our mission and objectives."
Board goals under this strategy are:
— Replacement of the roof over the east wing of Marion Elementary School.
— Beginning Phase II of the relocation of the middle school by examining space needs for fine arts and physical education for grades 7-12.
Strategy No. 3 states "We will promote systematic, ongoing, positive public relations."
This will include working to improve the connection between the district and the business community, and
Developing a system to demonstrate the district's responsible use of public funds.
