Our Mission To provide a safe environment in which every student reaches his or her highest potential and graduates well prepared for success in post-secondary education, work and life.
Superintendent’s Transition & Entry Plan
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Introduction In spring 2019, Superintendent Dave Bond announced his intent to retire in the 2019-2020 school year. The Kennewick School District Board of Directors engaged in a nationwide search for a new superintendent. Following a comprehensive search process involving a series of public meetings and engagement processes, the Board hired Dr. Traci Pierce to serve as KSD’s next superintendent. Dr. Pierce joined the District on July 1, 2019 as deputy/successor superintendent, and since that time, she and Mr. Bond have been working together to develop a transition and entry plan that ensures a smooth leadership transition for KSD. Mr. Bond has now formally announced his retirement date effective Dec. 31, 2019, and Dr. Pierce will assume the role of superintendent on Jan. 1, 2020. The following document outlines a timeline of goals and key activities for Dr. Pierce, which are designed to ensure a smooth leadership transition for Kennewick School District. The transition and entry plan details goals and activities for Dr. Pierce are included in two key phases:
Phase 1: Listening and Learning
• Meet the Kennewick staff and community • Learn the KSD mission and goals, and understand the initiatives being implemented
to achieve the goals • Gain perspective from KSD leadership and staff to learn KSD’s strengths and
challenges • Learn the priorities of KSD partners
Phase 2: Envisioning the Future
• Seek input from Kennewick staff, parents and community • Collect data to inform the future strategic direction of KSD • Synthesize and analyze input and data • Present information and recommendations to Board of Directors
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January 6, 2020 Dear Kennewick Staff, Families and Community:
I am excited and honored to serve as Kennewick’s next superintendent! As an educator and lifelong learner, I bring over 24 years of diverse experience as a teacher, principal, central office administrator and superintendent. I am very excited to partner with you to build on Kennewick’s success, to serve the Kennewick School District with integrity and passion, and to help further Kennewick’s tradition of excellence in education and commitment to providing innovative educational programs for students that will prepare them for bright futures.
As your superintendent, I am committed to being:
Student centered I believe that every student can learn and achieve at high levels. Our district and schools must work to support all students, meet the needs of all learners, and ensure that every student is learning, growing and succeeding. Learning focused I believe that in order to meet the needs of all learners, our district and schools must focus on continuous professional learning and improvement. Results oriented I believe that results matter. As a system, it is important that we continually examine our student learning data and organizational results to identify areas of strength and areas for continued growth and improvement. Community connected I believe that strong schools are a result of strong communities. I believe in collaborating with parents, community groups, and businesses to build strong partnerships that benefit our students, schools and communities.
I look forward to working with the KSD Board, community, staff and students to build on our strengths and to ensure KSD continues to be a great place for students, staff, families and our community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Traci Pierce, Superintendent
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2019-2020 Transition and Entry Plan
Phase 1: Listening and Learning Timeframe Goals Groups to Engage Activities
July 2019
to
August 2019
• Meet the Kennewick staff and community
• Learn the KSD mission and goals, and understand the initiatives being implemented to achieve the goals
• Gain perspective from KSD leadership and staff to learn KSD’s strengths and challenges
• Learn the priorities of KSD partners
Board and Leadership Team
• Assist with planning and attend Board meetings
• Participate in Cabinet meetings • Meet individually with all principals and
district managers • Visit all schools and sites • Assist with planning and participate in
Leadership Team kick-off • Review Cabinet performance goals and
Board policies
Staff • Attend staff trainings and professional
development opportunities including GLAD Camp, Kids at Hope, Set the Stage to Engage
Community
• Meet with key community partners • Meet with KSD Facilities Executive
Committee • Attend Rotary and other civic organization
meetings and community events • Participate in Chamber of Commerce
MyTri Education workshop
September 2019
to
October 2019
• Meet the Kennewick staff and community
• Learn the strengths, priorities and needs of individual schools
• Gain perspective from KSD leadership and staff to learn KSD’s strengths and challenges
• Learn the priorities of KSD partners
Board and Leadership Team
• Participate in formal superintendent school visits and Learning Partner meetings
• Engage in planning and problem-solving discussions and meetings
• Attend Nutrition Services and Facility Meetings
• Attend Facilities Committee Meetings • Oversee strategy for digital learning
initiative/Chromebook implementation
Staff
• Visit all schools, visit classrooms and meet school staffs
• Meet KSD support staff • Engage in KEA problem solving and labor-
management meetings
Parents and Community
• Attend community events • Join United Way Board • Attend WSU Advisory Committee meetings
Students
• Meet, interact with and observe students in schools and classrooms
• Attend schools academic and athletic events
• Assume responsibility for Superintendent’s Student Advisory Group
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Phase 1: Listening and Learning (continued) Timeframe Goals Groups Activities
November 2019
to
December 2019
• Meet the Kennewick staff and community
• Learn the strengths, priorities and needs of individual schools
• Gain perspective from KSD leadership and staff to learn KSD’s strengths and challenges
• Learn the priorities of KSD partners
Board and Leadership Team
• Assume responsibility for Cabinet meetings, Board communication, Board meetings and Strategic Plan Monitoring
• Attend architect meetings/assume responsibility for monitoring/oversight of Capital Projects
• Assume responsibility for Tri-Tech Superintendent Council and Delta meeting planning/agendas
Staff • Attend staff meetings, training, and professional learning events
Parents and Community
• Attend community events
Students
• Meet, interact with and observe students in schools and classrooms
• Attend schools academic and athletic events
• Assume responsibility for Superintendent’s Student Advisory Group
Phase 2: Envisioning the Future
January 2020
to
March 2020
• Seek input from Kennewick staff, parents and community
• Collect data to inform the future strategic direction of KSD
Board and Leadership Team
• Develop staff, parent, community input process in collaboration with Cabinet and the Board
Staff • Conduct input processes
Parents and Community
• Conduct input processes
Students • Conduct input processes
April 2020
to
June 2020
• Synthesize and analyze input and data
• Present information and recommendations to Board of Directors
Board and Leadership Team
• Develop informational presentation for Board in collaboration with Cabinet
Staff • Share information with staff
Parents and Community
• Share information with parents and community
Students • Share information with students
