School board to consider new district improvement plan Monday

Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 22, 2012

EAST SPENCER – Members of the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education will be asked to approve the latest district improvement plan Monday.
The plan outlines the following goals:
? Provide an inviting, nurturing and safe learning environment for all students and staff.
? Provide rigorous, relevant curriculum designed to prepare student for are globally competitive world.
? Recruit, train and retrain highly qualified professionals.
? And develop and maintain strong communication and partnership with all stakeholders.
Each goal includes specific focus areas that touch on a number of issues facing the school system.
In order to create a more inviting learning environment, district officials plans to analyze data from several sources, including the North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions survey, safe school surveys and climate surveys given to parents and students.
A wellness plan focusing on physical activity, nutrition and social well-being is also in the works.
Issues such as bullying, depression, gangs, drug abuse and poverty are explored in the plan.
The school system wants to continue to focus its efforts in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math by creating meaningful learning opportunities and awareness of future careers.
In order to recruit and retain quality teachers, the district plans to develop a Teacher Advisory Board to foster communication between the schools and central office personnel.
The school system will seek to partner with local businesses to provide incentives to employees and highlight district initiatives.
Ramping up the district’s presence on social media such as Facebook and Twitter is part of the goal to develop and maintain strong communication.
The school system hopes to increase faith-based partnerships and reach out to get more senior citizens involved as mentors and tutors within the schools.
The entire plan can be found online at www.rss.k12.nc.us.
The board will also:
? Receive information about an upcoming event called Parents Matter. It is designed to invite parents in to discuss ways the district can work with the to find ways to become more involved in their children’s education.
? Consider approving several field trip requests; and
? Consider a new contract with the YMCA of Rowan County.
The school board meets at 5 p.m. Monday at the Long Street Administrative Office, 110 S. Long St. in East Spencer.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
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