Board reviews draft five‑year "Bulldog Blueprint" strategic plan

Kathy Groutman and Brian Bartalo, former superintendents engaged as consultants, presented a draft five‑year strategic plan the district calls the "Bulldog Blueprint." The consultants said the plan was developed through surveys of students, families, staff and community members, a superintendent conference day, and monthly design‑team meetings that included teachers, administrators, students and parents.

"People want to be part of something bigger than themselves," Groutman said, describing the process used to craft a plan that community members would own. Bartalo said a key goal was to make the document a living roadmap that guides decisions and is revisited regularly.

The draft organizes work around four commitments: future‑ready academics (aligned to a localized portrait of a graduate), safe and supportive student life, operational effectiveness (facilities, transportation, food service and budget alignment), and community partnerships. The presenters noted the district adapted the state's "portrait of a graduate" into versions appropriate for elementary and secondary students and built measurable actions and indicators into each commitment area.

Superintendent Fluke thanked the consultants and the internal design team; she and the presenters said the board is the first external audience to view the draft and that board approval would allow leaders to finalize the visual design and prepare implementation planning over the summer for a fall rollout.

The board did not vote on the plan at the meeting; presenters said they expect to bring the finalized document back for formal action in July with rollout and implementation activities planned for the start of the school year.