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Mission and Goals <br />The mission and goals of the district remain largely unchanged. The mission is to enable all <br />students to acquire, through programs of excellence and fairness, the knowledge, skills and <br />insights necessary to live rewarding, productive lives in an ever - changing society. <br />The district's goals are: <br />1. All students will achieve mastery in reading, math and oral and written communication. <br />2. All students will think critically; use appropriate strategies and technologies to solve <br />problems. <br />3. All students will graduate from high school or receive an equivalency degree. <br />4. All graduates will exit school with the skills and knowledge for another degree or a career. <br />5. All high school students will participate in at least one extra - curricular activity. <br />6. All middle and high school students will provide service to the community. <br />7. Parents, students and staff will be increasingly satisfied with the schools. <br />8. Schools will have the highest quality teaching, administrative and support staff. <br />9. Schools will provide safe, comfortable and healthy environments conducive to learning. <br />Strategies <br />The feedback from community meetings, the task force's public hearing last spring and <br />discussions among the task force are reflected most heavily in the strategy's section. The <br />major proposed strategies of the district are captured in nine statements: <br />1. Set high standards and expectations for students and staff. <br />The task force believes that all members of the school community should work to ensure that <br />all students achieve at the highest possible level. These expectations should be clearly <br />communicated to each student in the form of a defined, coordinated curriculum with specific <br />standards. Each student should-be supported by the teachers' active belief in the capabilities of <br />the student. Students must receive a high level of support in order to be successful and should <br />be motivated by teachers who reach out to students and do not wait for them to ask for help. <br />2. Meet the diversity of individual student needs. <br />The wide diversity of students is considered both a strength and a challenge. The task force <br />believes this diversity requires greater individual attention and support, particularly for low - <br />achieving students and those who have problems which complicate their education. Staff <br />members should use their unique perspectives to identify and obtain assistance for students <br />who have educational, physical and mental health problems. The schools need to establish <br />high expectations for all students, reduce class size and reach out to involve parents of low <br />socio- economic families. <br />3. Ensure a high quality teaching staff. <br />The task force recognizes the importance of having the best possible teachers and a favorable <br />student- to-teacher ratio. The members recommend: that teacher salaries should be raised and <br />class size should be lowered; that all members of the school community, including students, <br />need to create a supportive environment for teaching and learning; and that teachers who are not <br />satisfactory should be assisted to succeed and relieved of their positions if not successful. <br />4. Emphasize the community's responsibility to all schools and all students. <br />In the current environment of school choice, charter schools and vouchers, the task force views <br />charter schools as an opportunity and a threat. The district should support charter schools <br />when they test an innovative program that addresses an important concern or interest of the <br />ii <br />