Public Helping SCS Plan Its Future

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - A very diverse community committee is helping Schoharie Central School plot its future.

SCS Superintendent David Blanchard told school board members at their monthly meeting last Tuesday that members of the strategic planning committee met last Monday. The school-wide committee consists of representatives of the FFA, the EPTSO, and other community members.

Mr. Blanchard explained the process.

"We shared a community-wide 'Thought Exchange' last month. There are three meetings to work on Mission, Vision, and Core Values based upon the results of the 'Thought Exchange.' Action planning will begin with the administration team on May 28. We are planning to have goals established by July 1 for approval of the board at the reorganization meeting."

The feedback at the "Thought Exchange" meeting was very good and there was discussion about the process, Mr. Blanchard said. The members spoke about the opportunities offered to SCS students through travel, clubs, AP and university in the high school classes and they want those opportunities to continue. The goals will involve the needs of students and values of the district.

The thoughts of the members will be developed into a report with strategies that will be given to the board, he added.

Mr. Blanchard noted that the final strategies will be approved by the board and it is still a board process.

The action plan will be reviewed by the administrators this month and then school board members by July 1 and they are slated to be approved by the school at their July re-organizational meeting.