Consultant says Hutchinson strategic plan is two-thirds complete after focus groups and surveys

Julie Dave, who is advising Hutchinson Public Schools on a district strategic plan, told the board that the planning process is roughly two-thirds complete and outlined the methods and participation that produced five draft strategic directions.

“We're probably, I would say, more than halfway, about 2 thirds of the way through the process,” Dave said, summarizing recent work. She described story-wall sessions, an environmental scan, focus groups and surveys that the planning team used to develop desired daily experience statements and validate priorities.

Dave reported the planning team received survey responses from approximately 215 staff members, 322 family members and 868 students. The draft strategic directions emerging from the process include advancing student achievement, positive student culture and development, staff well-being and development, effective communications, and optimizing district stability and growth. The board will review a draft roadmap and mission/vision statements in upcoming sessions; Dave said she will return on April 13 for a draft session and on May 11 for finalization.

Board members asked about the session reports and where more detailed outcomes would be available; Dave said session reports would be shared (she indicated a November 19 session report will contain details) and noted that next steps include pairing the strategic directions with measurable vision-card indicators and an action-card project-management process.

The board did not take a vote during the update; members praised the engagement and asked for follow-up reports and documentation as the plan moves into draft and adoption phases.