Board forms ad hoc committee to refine SMART goal tying community assets to student achievement

During the work session the Wake County Board of Education discussed a draft SMART goal to align board professional development with a focus on student achievement and community partnerships. The board named a small ad hoc committee to finalize language and measurement.

Lede: Chair Swanson asked the board to tighten a SMART goal developed at a retreat that centers on improving student outcomes by leveraging community assets and partnerships. The chair named an ad hoc committee including Doctor Joe, Miss Gordon, Miss Rice and Miss Caulfield to draft final language.

Nut graf: Board members debated phrasing and measurement: whether the district should "receive professional development to increase understanding of assets available in various communities and how to better leverage those assets" or instead set a deliverable goal about the number of partners or partnerships added by a date. Some members argued for a December 2026 target to allow time for professional development and conference opportunities; others urged a shorter timeline.

Supporting details: Members proposed combining lines to make the goal actionable (for example, understanding assets and then identifying cost-saving partnerships through the district's community mapping initiative). The board discussed measurable options such as tracking the number of partners on the community map and the ways they are engaged with schools.

Next steps: The ad hoc committee will refine the wording, propose measurable benchmarks and determine reporting cadence. The committee is scheduled to convene and will report back so the board can adopt a final SMART goal and supporting plan.

Ending: The board emphasized that the goal must be a living part of the district strategic plan and assigned the ad hoc committee to operationalize measures and timelines.