Foose Announces 5-year Plan for HCPSS

By Kirsten Petersen

Engaging and supporting all individuals contributing to the Howard County Public School system are the main goals of superintendent Renee A. Foose’s five-year strategic plan, which she announced at the Howard County Board of Education meeting last Thursday.

The plan, titled “Vision 2018: Fulfilling the Promise of Preparation,” calls for educators to help every student achieve “academic excellence in an inspiring, engaging, and supportive environment,” while also encouraging schools to help teachers feel “engaged, supported, and successful.”

To address student achievement, HCPSS will improve the rigor and acceleration of the curriculum; incorporate technology to engage students; monitor performance and measure for meaningful outcomes; and establish student-led wellbeing programs.

HCPSS will support staff members by encouraging collaboration among offices and schools and offering professional learning experiences and staff wellness services. Additionally, HCPSS will evaluate staff performance while also supporting employees who “struggle in their professional practice,” according to the five-year plan.

The five-year plan also addresses ways to engage families and community members.

The school system seeks to “engender a culture of trust, transparency, and mutual respect” by improving communication with families and stakeholders as well as developing a family education program. Additionally, HCPSS is looking to partner with community organizations to expand volunteer opportunities and services for the school system.

Internally, HCPSS seeks to improve its organizational wellbeing by ensuring that they keep their facilities safe, hire a “talented, effective, and diverse workforce,” and allocate resources and staff members to meet the strategic goals.

The plan has been developed and fine-tuned since last July and will be implemented July 1. HCPSS intends to refine the plan as it is put into place, according to the five-year plan.