3
Table of Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Vision, Mission, Motto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Belief Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Priorities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Strategic Planning Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Subcommittees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Demographics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Student Success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Lifelong Literacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Professional Excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Collaborative Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Transformational Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Optimal Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
4
Introduction
In January 2014, the leadership team of Alexander County School System began the process of
inviting key players to join the discussion and shape the future of Alexander County. A committee
of parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, community leaders, post-secondary
education representatives, business leaders, local government representatives, and early
childhood specialists committed time and energy to the task. This document is the result of this
endeavor.
The committee agreed on six priorities for the system:
Student Success
Lifelong Literacy
Professional Excellence
Collaborative Community
Transformational Technology
Optimal Operations
The committee worked to identify and define the needs and expectations of the school system.
This comprehensive process engaged the community and representatives from each group of
stakeholders to create ownership and support for the future of our schools. Stakeholders were
given a voice in the planning process, including developing and defining the mission, vision, belief
statements, and priorities. The committees continued the process as they worked through to the
action steps.
Throughout this document you will find current information about our school system and our plans
for the future. Student success is our priority. We believe that student success is achieved by
building a philosophy of lifelong learning and by having a focus on literacy. Expecting professional
excellence from oneself and all employees within the system promotes a culture of high
expectations. We must allow the technology that drives our world today to be transformational to
our thinking and our way of being. And finally, we must continue to seek ways to optimize our
operations in an unprecedented fashion in order to effectively utilize all funding sources for the
school system.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
5
Vision
Alexander County School System (ACSS) will graduate
highly-skilled, globally competitive students.
Motto Children First
Mission
ACSS’s mission is to educate and empower every student
to become a responsible and productive citizen.
6
We believe a quality public education enhances the lives of all students and communities; therefore,
we will...
Ensure student success through shared responsibility among employees, students, parents, and community.
Provide an inviting, safe, and healthy school environment.
Engage students through the utilization of innovative technologies.
Expect and support educational and professional excellence.
Foster life-long literacy across all disciplines.
Establish and nurture a collaborative community by building relationships that promote, welcome, and value education.
Model and promote strong character and personal responsibility.
Recognize, value, and invest in the individual differences of each learner.
Belief Statement
7
Priorities
ACSS has six priorities for our system as we move forward:
Student Success
Lifelong Literacy
Professional Excellence
Collaborative Community
Transformational Technology
Optimal Operations
8
Strategic Planning Committee
Mrs. Emily Atwood, Teacher Stony Point Elementary School
Mrs. Kim Bishop, Technology Specialist Alexander County Schools
Mr. Chris Bowman, Sheriff Alexander County Sheriff’s Department
Mrs. Mary Brown, Principal Wittenburg Elementary School
Mrs. Leah Bumgarner, Fiscal Manager Alexander County Partnership For Children
Dr. Monica Campbell, Assistant Professor of Education Lenoir-Rhyne University
Mr. Cary Cash, Principal Sugar Loaf Elementary School
Dr. Elizabeth Curry, Chief Academic Officer Alexander County Schools
Mrs. Susan Dyson, Assistant Principal Bethlehem & Hiddenite Elementary Schools
Mr. Brent Dula, Teacher West Alexander Middle School
Mrs. Susan Gantt, Career & Technical Education Director Alexander County Schools
Mrs. Linda Graham, Executive Director CVCC Alexander Center for Education
Dr. Jennifer Hefner, Superintendent Alexander County Schools
Dr. Robyn Helton, Exceptional Children Director Alexander County Schools
Mr. Gary Herman, Business Development Coordinator Alexander County Economic Development
Mrs. Angie Hickerson, Teacher Alexander Central High School
Mrs. Crystal Hoke, Principal Ellendale Elementary School
Mr. David Icenhour, Director Alexander County Economic Development
Mrs. Sheila Jenkins, Technology Director Alexander County Schools
Ms. Macy Jones, Head Start Director Alexander County Schools
Dr. Keith Mackie, Vice President of Instruction Catawba Valley Community College
Dr. Chad Maynor, Principal West Alexander Middle School
Mrs. Jessica Mays, Principal Taylorsville Elementary School
Mrs. Renee Meade, PIO/Communications Director Alexander County Schools
Ms. Sharon Mehaffey, Finance Director Alexander County Schools
Mrs. Michelle Motley, Instructional Coach Alexander County Schools
Mr. Andy Palmer, Principal Stony Point Elementary School
Dr. Jeff Peal, Associate Superintendent Alexander County Schools
Mrs. Jill Peek, Principal Bethlehem Elementary School
Capt. Chad Pennell, Captain Alexander County Sheriff’s Department
Ms. Michele Platt, Teacher West Alexander Middle School
Mr. Doug Rhoney, Principal Alexander Central High School
Mrs. Brigette Rhyne, School Board Member Alexander County Board of Education
Mrs. Teresa Riddle, Teacher East Alexander Middle School
Mrs. Andrea Robinette, Instructional Technology Facilitator East and West Alexander Middle Schools
Mr. Ramie Robinson, Teacher Alexander Central High School
Mrs. Brenda Siniard, Instructional Coach Alexander County Schools
Mrs. Rene Stilwell, Principal Hiddenite Elementary School
Mrs. Rosanna Whisnant, Principal East Alexander Middle School
Ms. Sherry Williams, School Nutrition Services Director Alexander County Schools
Mrs. Glendora Yarborough, Executive Director Communities In Schools of Wilkes/Alexander Counties
Ms. Angie Yates, Site Coordinator Communities In Schools of Alexander County
9
Subcommittees
Student Success
Dr. Jennifer Hefner, Chair
Dr. Betsy Curry
Angie Hickerson
Macy Jones
Dr. Keith Mackie
Jill Peek
Doug Rhoney
Teresa Riddle
Ramie Robinson
Brenda Siniard
Rosanna Whisnant
Lifelong Literacy
Michelle Motley, Chair
Dr. Monica Campbell
Linda Graham
Michele Platt
Rene Stilwell
Professional Excellence
Dr. Robyn Helton, Chair
Emily Atwood
Jessica Mays
Dr. Chad Maynor
Renee Meade
Collaborative Community
Susan Gantt, Chair
Sheriff Chris Bowman
Leah Bumgarner
Cary Cash
Brent Dula
Gary Herman
David Icenhour
Capt. Chad Pennell
Glendora Yarbrough
Transformational Technology
Sheila Jenkins, Chair
Kim Bishop
Mary Brown
Crystal Hoke
Andy Palmer
Andrea Robinette
Optimal Operations
Dr. Jeff Peal, Chair
Susan Dyson
Sharon Mehaffey
Brigette Rhyne
Sherry Williams
Angie Yates
10
Demographics
Alexander County
Alexander County is located within the Piedmont region of western North Carolina. The county's
main geographic feature is the Brushy Mountains. The "Brushies," as they are called locally, rise
from 300 to 1,000 feet (300 m) above the surrounding countryside, and dominate the county's
northern horizon. The county is served by US Highway 64, which connects Taylorsville with Lenoir
and Statesville. NC Highways 90, 16, and 127 also serve the county. Interstate 40 and 77 are just
30 minutes from the majority of county residents. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is an
hour's drive from most parts of the county. The area is also served by the Hickory Regional Airport
(30 minutes) and the Statesville Airport (20 minutes). The Alexander Railroad Company is an active
short line rail system operating between Taylorsville and Statesville and connecting with Norfolk
Southern.
The county has a total of 264 square miles, of which 260 square miles is land and 3.7 square miles
is water. The 2013 estimated population was 36,930, with a median household income of
$40,637. The county has an estimated 17.2% of the population living below the poverty level.
Seventy-nine percent of the population 25 years and older has a high school diploma or higher,
with 11.7% holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Alexander County School System (Enrollment reported in first month PMR 2014-2015)
Special Populations
Free and Reduced Meals 52%
Academically/Intellectually Gifted 15%
Exceptional Children 15%
Limited English Proficiency 2.7%
*Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate
Course Enrollments Alexander
County State
Advanced College Prep Courses * 2% 6%
Career & Technical Education Courses 20% 15%
Enrollment reported on first month
principals monthly report and include
Head Start enrollment.
11
Student Success Goal: One hundred percent of Alexander County School students graduate high school prepared to meet the challenges of becoming a fulfilled, productive, contributing member of society through enrollment in post-secondary education, enlistment in the armed forces, or employment in the community.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Summary
Our school system employees understand the importance of a positive public school experience and the effects of such an experience on both the individual learner and Alexander County as a whole. The primary focus of ACSS is high quality instructional practice which produces optimal student learning. Ensuring that students are prepared for a competitive environment after high school requires instruction to be innovative, engaging, and relevant to the learner. School system employees are dedicated to maximizing student learning and increasing student achievement. ACSS makes it a priority to build explicitly in students those skills essential for success in today’s global economy.
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled,
but a fire to be kindled.”
- Plutarch
Cohort Graduation Rate
(2014)
Alexander County 81% North Carolina
12
Strategy 1: The primary focus of ACSS will be on high quality instructional practices and student learning.
Student Success
1.1 All teachers will use curriculum maps
to guide and pace instructional planning and
delivery. Instructional delivery will be
differentiated based on students’ individual
academic needs.
1.2 School administrators will support
teachers through regular classroom visits,
routine observations, and on-going written
and oral feedback regarding instructional
practice.
1.3 Middle and high school staff will work
collaboratively with school administrators and
central office directors to explore, plan, build,
and provide virtual blended courses.
“Education is not preparation for life;
education is life itself.”
- John Dewey
1.4 All pre-K through 12th grade teachers
in Alexander County will teach science,
technology, engineering, and math with an
emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking,
communication and creativity in instructional
activities to ensure that all students are
equipped with the skills for higher education
or the workforce.
1.5 Teachers will strategically incorporate
academic rigor in the lesson planning process
daily in order to ensure the academic growth
of all students. All lesson plans will include
critical thinking and problem solving activities.
1.6 Teachers in all grade levels will provide
opportunities for students to engage in
project-based tasks that incorporate the use
of timelines and rubrics in order to conduct
and present research successfully.
1.7 Learning experiences will be enhanced
through the use of technology resources.
1.8 Middle and high school teachers,
administrators, and staff in Alexander County
will provide non-traditional opportunities for
students to demonstrate course mastery and
attain course credit. Implementation of this
strategy will increase the opportunities for
students to graduate high school with college
credits.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
13
Student Success Strategy 2: ACSS will function as a professional learning community where the individual needs of students will be established through a systematic analysis of data and implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
2.1 Universal screeners, such as Easy CBM,
Reading 3D, and the Brigance Preschool Screen
will be used with all kindergarten through 8th
grade students three times per year to identify
school-wide and individual needs for student
improvement. Once needs are determined,
teachers will evaluate core instruction through
the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
model and develop strategies to improve core
instruction.
2.2 Through the use of the MTSS model,
students will be assessed and grouped to
provide prescriptive interventions. Student
progress will be consistently monitored and
instruction will be responsive to student
learning.
2.3 Principals and the School Improvement
Teams will craft master schedules that
incorporate structured opportunities for
remediation and enrichment of student learning
at a minimum of three times per week.
2.4 Formative assessments will be used daily to
monitor instructional practices. Common
Formative Assessments (CFAs) will be used
across grade levels and schools to facilitate the
development of a strong core curriculum.
2.5 Central office employees, lead teachers,
instructional coaches, and instructional
technology facilitators will support the schools
in developing common assessments and
benchmarks to assess student learning and
guide instruction.
2.6 The director of accountability, central office
employees, school administrators, and teachers
will use benchmark data to identify students
and sub-groups who are not performing at their
full potential. School administrators and
teachers will work collaboratively to develop
instructional strategies enabling performance
improvement.
2.7 All schools will establish a Student
Support Team (SST) to track and build
relationships with identified at-risk students
and their families. Team membership should
include a school administrator, data manager,
school nurse, guidance counselor, a social
worker, Communities In Schools Site
Coordinator, and other appropriate employees
interested in serving our students in this
capacity. Each SST will be responsible for
meeting weekly to identify those students who
are most at-risk and to develop strategies to
support these students and their families.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
14
Student Success
3.1 To ensure that children enter kindergarten
ready to learn, ACSS, childcare providers, and
Alexander County Partnership for Children will
work together three times yearly to define
school readiness, track progress and evaluate
instructional practices and programs.
3.2 School administration will develop a
schedule that provides opportunities for
vertical teams to examine the alignment of core
content and instructional practice.
3.3 Transition meetings and activities will be
planned and implemented
annually (pre-K to
elementary, elementary
to middle, middle to
high, and high to
secondary).
“Wisdom begins with wonder.”
- Socrates
Strategy 3: With the support of central office and community partners, each school will engage in vertical articulation of content and facilitate smooth transitions between grades, schools, and post-secondary entities.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
ACT Proficiency
Average SAT Score
(2014)
Alexander County 59.3% North Carolina
Alexander County 994 North Carolina
15
Student Success Strategy 4: ACSS professionals will engage in high quality professional development supporting individual needs aligned to the district’s strategic plan and school improvement plan.
4.1 Central office employees, school
administrators, and the school board will work
collaboratively to develop a needs assessment
and establish goals and timelines for the
implementation of an alternative learning day
program.
4.2 Using school data and surveys, central
office employees and school administrators will
complete a needs assessment in order to
identify and provide targeted professional
development. A master plan for system-wide
professional development will be designed and
communicated to all employees annually. This
professional development will be scheduled on
early dismissal days and required professional
development days.
4.3 Administrators and School Improvement Teams will identify needs specific to each school and develop a school professional development schedule annually. This schedule will be submitted to appropriate central office employees. This professional development will be scheduled on early dismissal days, required professional development days, and at other times as determined at the school level.
4.4 All teachers pre-K through 12th grade will utilize one required professional development day annually to evaluate and revise curriculum maps from all content areas.
4.5 All elementary teachers, in conjunction with instructional coaches and central office employees, will meet two times annually to discuss curriculum needs, issues, and current topics for each grade level.
4.6 All middle and high school teachers will meet monthly by department. Central office employees will meet twice yearly with targeted departments.
4.7 County-wide professional development will be offered at a minimum of two times annually to all employees to improve instructional practices.
“It is not what you do for your children,
but what you have taught them to do for
themselves, that will make them
successful human beings.”
- Ann Landers
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
16
Lifelong Literacy Goal: One hundred percent of Alexander County students will demonstrate the skills to read and comprehend across content areas and demonstrate literacy for life.
Summary
Leadership at every level within ACSS ensures
that each school establishes and maintains an
environment promoting and supporting literacy
development. This Lifelong Literacy document
serves as a guide for ACSS teachers and leaders
as they develop students into proficient readers.
Skilled teachers deliver research-based literacy
instruction as students first learn to read and
then read to learn. ACSS administers
benchmarks according to the district plan and
state and federal requirements to monitor
students’ literacy progress, and the school
system uses this data to drive instruction. In
addition, ACSS fosters partnerships with
community stakeholders that support both early
literacy development and on-going
development in speaking, listening, reading,
writing, viewing, and critical thinking.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Post-Secondary Plans
4-year college
2-year college
Other education
Military
Work
(Class of 2014)
17
Lifelong Literacy
1.1 Central office administrators will uphold, support, and communicate the belief that every student can and will progress toward the goal of reading at grade level or above.
1.2 Central office administrators will support schools by ensuring that all stakeholders have access to data that will inform the acquisition of appropriate resources and materials to promote student success in literacy.
1.3 Central office administrators will celebrate and communicate literacy successes throughout the district.
1.4 Central office administrators will analyze district and school level data to inform the District Professional Development Plan.
1.5 Principals will create a collaborative culture within their school that upholds, supports, and communicates the belief that every student can and will progress toward the goal of reading at grade level or above.
1.6 Principals will ensure that school-level literacy instruction is aligned with the school and district strategic plans, resources are purchased and allocated to support the strategic plan, and practices for student assessment and response to assessment data are implemented with fidelity.
1.7 Principals will communicate and celebrate literacy gains with students, employees, families, and the community.
1.8 Instructional coaches will communicate district literacy goals; create connections between people and resources to support literacy; facilitate the collection, analysis, and communication of data; model current research-based instructional strategies with teachers; and support school and district strategic plans.
1.9 Instructional coaches will celebrate and communicate literacy success with the school community.
1.10 Teachers will create a classroom culture that promotes literacy, employs effective teaching strategies daily in support of district literacy goals, and collaborates with colleagues to ensure consistency of literacy instruction for all students.
1.11 Teachers will communicate student literacy needs, goals, and progress to families and students, while celebrating student accomplishments both in the classroom and school community.
1.12 Central office administrators, principals, instructional coaches, and teachers will ensure that professional development is consistently and appropriately aligned with district-wide reading goals; alignment will include literacy in the content areas, instructional strategies that support literacy, and assessments to determine progress.
Strategy 1: Leadership at every level within the ACSS will ensure that each school establishes and maintains an environment promoting and supporting literacy development.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
18
Lifelong Literacy Strategy 2: Highly trained teachers will deliver research-based and appropriate literacy instruction to all students.
2.1 All teachers will employ a balanced literacy approach, designed to develop effective communication skills through daily reading, writing, speaking and listening activities.
2.2 All pre-K through 12th grade teachers will provide opportunities for writing across the curriculum based on grade level.
2.3 The district will provide Write Foundations training to selected K-2 teacher leaders who, in turn, will facilitate training for all K-2 teachers.
2.4 The district will provide Reading Foundations training for all teachers in grades K-8 and selected Exceptional Children teachers using a train-the-trainer model.
2.5 Classroom teachers in grades K-2 will demonstrate instruction that is consistent with the needs of students who are emerging readers.
2.6 Classroom teachers in grades 3-12 will possess and apply a foundational understanding of how to scaffold instruction for students who are still emerging readers.
2.7 Teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators will investigate research-based instructional strategies and provide in-service opportunities for teachers in grades pre-K through 12th grade.
2.8 Teachers will use instructional strategies, such as the use of graphic organizers, and the integration of the domains of literacy that appeal to diverse learning styles to help students in developing conceptual understanding of content.
2.9 Teachers will administer benchmarks according to the district plan and state and federal requirements to monitor students’ literacy progress, using this data to drive their instruction.
2.10 Teachers in K-5 classrooms will provide a minimum of 90 minutes of core literacy instruction each day. Additional interventions and enrichment will be provided for those students who are not meeting standards or who have demonstrated mastery.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
19
Lifelong Literacy Strategy 3: ACSS will foster partnerships with community stakeholders and organizations that support both early literacy development and on-going literacy development through adulthood.
3.1 Each school will provide opportunities for community/family/student literacy involvement by offering a variety of literacy events encouraging a stronger appreciation for reading.
3.2 School leaders will strengthen the relationship between NC Pre-K/Head Start and kindergarten classrooms by providing opportunities for those teachers to collaborate with school personnel about state and federal mandates, district expectations and school level practices that support literacy development.
“The man who does not read has
no advantage over the man
who cannot read.”
- Mark Twain
3.3 Administrators will collaborate with Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) Alexander Center for Education to publicize opportunities for parents to continue their education.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
63.6 63.9
54.8
6261.3
55.7
3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
Percent Proficient in Reading
Percent Proficient in Reading
(2014-2015)
20
Professional Excellence Goal: During the 2015-2018 school years, ACSS will recruit and retain highly qualified and professional employees who are committed to the principles of lifelong learning and professional growth.
Summary
ACSS maintains professional excellence and improves student achievement by recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining a highly-skilled workforce. Based on student and staff needs professional development focuses on instructional improvement. Such improvement occurs through increased collaboration across the district at all levels. The school system continues to foster among all employees a sense of individual pride in and personal responsibility for professional growth.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Certified Staff
NBPTS
Teaching Staff
with Advanced Degrees
Doctorate
Advanced/Masters
(2014-2015)
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
21
Professional Excellence
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 1: ACSS will recruit a highly skilled workforce.
1.1 District and school administration will
develop a comprehensive recruitment plan to
attract highly skilled personnel. The plan will
include a timeline for regional job fairs, an
annual list of anticipated district needs, and
team representation at all area recruitment
events.
1.2 The human resources and public
information offices will create new and update
current recruitment materials, such as new
visual displays, updated print brochures, an
electronic application process, and promotional
materials.
1.3 District and school administration will
participate in classified recruitment, targeting
specific jobs based on annual needs, and will
partner with local agencies and community
groups by conducting local recruitment fairs as
necessary.
1.4 Appropriate central office employees,
school administrators, and teachers will use
EVAAS data as one tool to assess teacher
effectiveness and guide professional
development plans and training.
Beginning Teacher Salary
with Benefits
22
Professional Excellence
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 2: ACSS will hire a highly skilled workforce.
2.1 District leadership and school administration will develop interview and hiring protocols, which will provide a consistent bank of interview questions, a team-based interview approach, and specific recommendation procedures for the interview team to follow when recommending a final candidate to the superintendent for board approval.
2.2 The human resources and public information departments will communicate board-approved personnel actions to school and district leadership prior to public/media release.
2.3 The human resources department will establish a committee of county leadership, principals, mentors, and beginning teachers to evaluate and revise the current new teacher orientation plan.
2.4 The human resources department will provide all employees with a specific job description when hired. This job description will be updated as needed.
“Educating the mind
without educating the heart
is no education at all.”
- Aristotle
Certified Staff Members
Total
Classroom Teachers
Administrators
Certified Support Staff
23
Professional Excellence
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 3: ACSS will retain a highly skilled workforce.
3.1 The public information office will implement a process for celebrating success among our district employees. This will include a protocol for board meeting recognitions and a system-wide newsletter or online publication for district-wide recognitions.
3.2 The public information office will investigate the possibility of a combined celebration for all county-wide recognitions.
3.3 School administrators will provide opportunities for school-wide celebrations and employee events to improve working relationships and morale.
3.4 District and school leadership will work together to research and develop a consistent annual evaluative and personal goal setting process for all classified employees.
24
Professional Excellence
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 4: Staff development will focus on instructional improvement.
4.1 Central office employees and school administrators will investigate and offer comprehensive staff development to classroom teachers and support employees in the following areas (list is not all inclusive) :
Differentiation
Inclusion
Curriculum alignment
AIG local endorsement
Data analysis
Formative and summative assessments
4.2 Through the use of NC Quest grant funds, Title I, and Title II funds, all K-8 teachers will complete Reading, Writing, and Math Foundations training. Follow-up and implementation support will be provided to classroom teachers by trainers, instructional coaches, and administrators.
4.3 All employees will have annual evaluation conferences in which professional growth plans or goals for improvement are collaboratively developed with their immediate supervisor.
4.4 In response to a needs assessment and in alignment with the district strategic goals, central office employees and a cross-section of school employees will collaboratively write a professional development plan that will support high quality instruction and high student achievement.
5.1 The district office employees will investigate assigning district level leadership to serve as school liaisons between the school and the district.
5.2 Central office employees will support school administrators in developing a plan to support transitions between grade levels and from elementary school to middle school and from middle school to high school.
5.3 Central office employees will support school administrators in planning collaborative activities among vertical grade levels or departments at a minimum of once per quarter.
Strategy 5: Instructional improvement will occur through increased collaboration among the district, schools, grade levels, and departments.
25
Collaborative Community Goal: ACSS will strengthen partnerships and communication with local businesses, educational organizations, community agencies, and families in order to support student success.
Summary
ACSS employees value the relationships we have with families, businesses, and organizations within our community. We strongly believe that everyone must work together in order for students to succeed. We value the investment of time, talent, and/or resources from partners and supporters to give every child a chance to improve our community’s future.
“We rise by lifting others.”
- Robert Ingersoll
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
School # of Students Served # of Hours Value of Hours # of Mentors at School
ACHS 5 21.87 $437.40 1
WAMS 38 236.72 $4,734.40 4
EAMS 52 197.18 $3,943.60 6
Communities In Schools of Alexander County
Level 1 Services (Group services)
Level 2 Services (One-on-one service)
School # of Students Served
(Duplicated) # of Hours
Total Service
Value for Site
ACHS 30,494 30 $600
EAMS 5,081 14.5 $290
WAMS 3,834 29 $580
(2014-2015)
26
Collaborative Community
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 1: ACSS employees will strengthen partnerships and relationships with local businesses, with educational and community agencies, and with all supporters of education.
Strategy 2: ACSS will strengthen partnerships with parents, guardians, and families of children in Alexander County.
1.1 Each partner agency will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ACSS, or with an individual school, that is used and reviewed annually.
1.2 Designated employees at each school will work to increase public awareness of school activities and events by the use of the school and/or county website, the local newspaper, social media, and radio.
1.3 Designated employees at each school and partner agency will pursue grants for collaborative projects.
1.4 School system employees will recognize their educational and community partners annually.
1.5 School system employees will annually review the list of local businesses/industries maintained on the Alexander County Economic Development Corporation website to expand and update their educational and community partner list.
1.6 School system employees will establish and maintain a contact list of all their supporters. Each school will recognize agency supporters and community volunteers annually.
“Education is not the learning of facts, but
the training of the mind to think.”
- Albert Einstein
2.1 A Shared Accountability Pledge between each student, parent, and teacher will be discussed and signed at the beginning of each school year.
2.2 School system employees will present opportunities for parents to gain knowledge on how to assist children with their educational success.
2.3 School system employees will work to ensure that all parents feel welcome and understand the importance of their involvement in their children’s education.
27
Transformational Technology Goal: Within three years, one hundred percent of ACSS students and employees will have access to appropriate technology tools and will utilize tools to enhance instruction and support student learning.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Summary
ACSS provides students, teachers, and other employees access to a wide range of appropriate technology resources to enhance learning and support operations. Teachers seamlessly incorporate appropriate technology into teaching and learning. The school system’s infrastructure is continually upgraded to support 21st century teaching and learning at a ratio of 1:1 at all levels. A yearly technology budget ensures infrastructure upgrades based on a prioritized list. In addition, ACSS hires, trains, and/or retrains the staff necessary to maintain all current and future technology initiatives.
“The most important thing that schools
can do is not to use technology
in the curriculum more, but
use it more effectively.”
-John Palfery and
Urs Gasser
Number of
computers in the schools
Number of
21st century classrooms (Tier II)
Percentage of students with
home internet as indicated
by secondary schools
Alexander
Central High
East Alexander
Middle
West Alexander
Middle
As reported in the
2014 Annual Media and Technology Report
28
Transformational Technology
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 1: Infrastructure will be upgraded to support 21st century teaching and learning at a ratio of 1:1 at all levels.
1.1 A prioritized schedule will be established for school connectivity upgrades. A committee composed of building level administrators will create a rubric that includes items such as devices per students, projected purchases, as well as financial commitment from schools.
1.2 A committee composed of central office and building level administrators will review and communicate the schedule for infrastructure upgrades annually.
1.3 A yearly technology budget will be created and reviewed by the county Media Technology Advisory Committee (MTAC), which includes infrastructure upgrades based on a prioritized list. This budget will be reviewed annually to ensure correlation with the county strategic plan priorities.
1.4 The Alexander County School System will complete a Network Health Assessment by Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC) and the Teaching and Learning Assessment conducted by a NCDPI Digital Teaching and Learning biennially to assess current strengths and weaknesses. The District Strategic Plan and budget priorities will be informed by these assessments.
Strategy 2: The school system will hire and/or train the employees necessary to support and maintain all current and future technology initiatives.
2.1 ACSS Human Resources Department will be tasked with hiring or training existing employees as instructional technology facilitators at a ratio equal to or greater than the state recommendation of one per one thousand students.
“If we teach today’s students as we taught
yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.”
- John Dewey
2.2 Within the next two years, the human resources department will be tasked with hiring additional employees or retraining existing employees to fill two Technology Technician II positions to address expanding technology needs.
2.3 The technology department will conduct yearly training sessions with technicians and other select employees on current technology initiatives.
29
Transformational Technology
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 3: All employees will increase technological literacies to support students in the 4 Cs of education: collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
3.1 All Alexander County Schools will utilize the results from the School Technology Needs Assessment (STNA) and the North Carolina Digital Learning Progress Rubric biennially in order to drive technology initiatives during budget priorities.
3.2 The technology department will budget funding for professional development to support the system strategic plan.
3.3 Instructional facilitators, media coordinators and instructional technology assistants will be provided professional development for integrating technology that enhances instructional practices.
30
Optimal Operations Goal: ACSS will develop and monitor processes and procedures that provide for student and employee safety and effective and efficient operations.
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Alexander County School
System Operating Budget
(2014-2015)
Summary
ACSS ensures its business and district operations focus on maximizing resources for student achievement. The school system and all of its departments utilize federal, state, and local funds to provide equitable operational programs that enhance the learning environment and support student growth. School maintenance and facility needs are continually evaluated, prioritized, and addressed. In collaboration with the finance director, district leadership aligns budget requests and expenditures with the strategic plan. The school nutrition department adheres to federal and state guidelines. ACSS is committed to providing all students with safe, timely transport to and from school and a safe, clean learning environment.
31
Optimal Operations
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 1: School maintenance and facility needs will be evaluated and a plan will be developed that prioritizes needs and establishes strategies for addressing those needs.
1.1 District leadership will analyze the 2014 facilities study to prioritize district needs and develop a plan to meet those needs.
1.2 The superintendent and maintenance director will meet annually with each principal to discuss/prioritize facility needs and develop a plan for each facility. The principal will communicate this plan to all school stakeholders.
1.3 The superintendent or designee will communicate to schools, community, and stakeholders our facilities plan and needs.
1.4 The superintendent will communicate biweekly with the maintenance director to assess progress and on-going needs.
Strategy 2: In collaboration with the finance director, district leadership will align budget requests and expenditures with the strategic plan.
2.1 The finance director will communicate weekly with the superintendent regarding the budget updates, anticipated and unanticipated expenditures, processes, and procedures supporting fiscal responsibility.
2.2 The finance director will communicate weekly with the central office leadership team regarding departmental budgets and the alignment of school budget requests with the district and school strategic plans.
2.3 The finance director will communicate monthly with principals regarding school budget, processes, and procedures.
2.4 The finance director will meet monthly with bookkeepers for training and support.
2.5 The finance director will meet with the principal and bookkeeper at each school at least once a year or as needed to develop and examine school budgets.
2.6 All employees will continually evaluate programs for effectiveness through action research and data analysis.
“We live in a knowledge economy
where the value of education
plays a large role in determining
one's life chances.”
- Matthew Pittinsky
32
Optimal Operations
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 3: ACSS is committed to providing a safe, clean learning and working environment.
3.1 The associate superintendent will continue working with local law enforcement and emergency management to improve safety on all school property and at all school events.
3.2 All employees will follow workplace safety guidelines.
3.3 The Incident Management Plan (2014 revision) will be distributed to and utilized by all employees. The school principal will ensure that all employees are knowledgeable of the Incident Management Plan and can apply its directives in a variety of emergency situations.
3.4 Safety procedures will be communicated to parents and the community through various means, such as websites, social media formats, newspapers, automated phone messages, and newsletters.
3.5 Principals will conduct a minimum of one fire drill each month, two severe weather drills each year, and two safety assessments led by the Safe Schools Committee.
3.6 School nurses will provide annual training for first responders, first aid, and AED use.
3.7 School nurses will provide annual training for the use of epinephrine. Epi-Pens will be purchased each year.
3.8 The maintenance director will schedule staff development opportunities with the custodial employees regarding proper procedures and processes for effective maintenance protocol.
3.9 The principal will conduct monthly inspections to identify needs in maintaining a safe and clean environment.
3.10 A school nurse will provide annual diabetes training for staff.
3.11 ACSS will provide online annual training on bloodborne pathogens for staff.
33
Optimal Operations
Every Child’s Chance…Alexander County’s Future
Strategy 4: The school nutrition department will adhere to federal and state guidelines.
4.1 The school nutrition director will provide safety training annually.
4.2 The school nutrition director will ensure each school nutrition employee receives sanitation training and completes a certificate program with the school nutrition association.
4.3 The school nutrition and maintenance directors will use the HACCP Operation Assessment from each school annually to identify and address needs.
4.4 The school nutrition director will be innovative in creating meal options that appeal to students while adhering to state and federal guidelines.
Strategy 5: ACSS Transportation Department will provide all students with safe and timely transportation.
5.1 School administrators, the Transportation Information Management System (TIMS) coordinator, transportation director, and associate superintendent will collaborate to develop routes and procedures for efficient and effective transportation.
5.2 The transportation director will provide annual training for bus drivers regarding safety and procedures.
5.3 The transportation director will use the TD-1 and other measures to report and evaluate efficiency and improve transportation resource management.
Food for Thought
Lunches served daily
Breakfasts served daily
Along for the Ride
Number of buses in service
Average number of miles per day
Average number of students transported