Agenda - 03-03-2015 - 4a - Laserfiche WebLink

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M Introduction From August through December 2014, a diverse group of Orange County citizens, representatives of our business, agricultural, nonprofit, local governments, health care, social service, faith, education, student, parent, and geographic communities, were called together by the Board of Education to envision the future of Orange County Schools (OCS). Through an in- depth process of open dialogue, engaged learning, individual reflection and constructive discussion two outcomes were achieved: (1) relationships that transcend our differences were formed and renewed through our common desire to strengthen our county public school system and the educational outcomes our children receive and (2) our vision for public education in the Orange County Schools community was created as is documented here. We envision a public school system that prepares all students to be creative, constructive thinkers who become healthy, productive and responsible members of our community and the world. The vision that has been created by our community builds on the rich history that is documented in "A History of Orange County Schools, 1732 - 1983" (1983) by Irene Oliver Pender and updated in "A Brief History of OCS Since 1983" developed by Dr. Steve Halkiotis. The discussions through which the community was engaged were structured around the public values framework laid out in Preservina the Public in Public Schools: Visions. Values. Conflicts. and Choices (2012) by Phil Boyle and Del Burns. Both books were shared with all stakeholders prior to our first meeting and discussed during the initial meetings of the group to discern implications from both for our work in building support and creating a vision for public education in Orange County, NC. The community engagement process through which this vision was created is one of two parts of an overall process to create the next Orange County Schools (OCS) five year strategic plan. The mission, goals and strategies of the OCS strategic plan are being created by a representative group of OCS principals, teachers and central office administrators who will work to align the community's vision with the mission, goals and strategies created through the strategic planning process. The strategic planning process is occurring in preparation for the next OCS accreditation review scheduled to occur in March 2015. It is desired that by undertaking a process to engage both the external and internal OCS communities, a strategic plan with staying power and community support will guide the Board of Education and the Superintendent in their deliberations and decision - making for years to come. 3