Agenda Item
a. Approval of the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan to include the Vision, Mission, Core Beliefs, Strategic Goal Areas, Performance Objectives and Strategy Map ~ Updated 6.4.2024
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Aurora Lora, Facilitator, Insight Education Group
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the proposed 2024-2029 Strategic Plan in accordance with Board Policy CA, to include the Vision, Mission, Core Beliefs, Strategic Goal Areas, Performance Objectives, and Strategy Map.
Why: Approval of the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan for the DeKalb County School District will meet BOE Policy CA: Goals and Objectives: It is the policy of the DeKalb County Board of Education to ensure the development of a Strategic Plan for the DeKalb County School District to serve as the template by which all short-and long-range efforts are measured.
The Superintendent is charged with the responsibility for District-wide strategic planning. All other District planning must occur in accordance with the District’s Strategic Plan, with linkages clearly identified. The Strategic Plan will be published and disseminated to all stakeholders on the district’s website, through regular newsletters, in community forums, and in an annual report to the Board of Education.
Details: On September 11, 2024, the Board of Education voted to use a process developed by Insight Education Group to develop a high-quality Strategic Plan for the DeKalb County School District. The process included leading multiple community engagement sessions, analyzing data, engaging various teams in the plan development, and providing support to divisions and schools to cascade the plan.
Financial impact: All budgets will be aligned to the Strategic Plan.
Contact: Mr. Elijah Palmer, Chief of Staff, Office of the Superintendent, 678-676-0196
Dr. Sherry Everett, Director of Strategic Management, Office of the Chief of Staff, 678-676-0435
Effective: July 1, 2024
Status: Attorney approval not required
Strategic Planning
Report
2024 - 2029
DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Table of Contents:
Strategic Planning Executive Summary 3
Proposed Vision, Mission & Belief Statements 5
Proposed Strategic Goal Areas & Performance Objectives 6
Strategy Map 8
Strategic Plan Steering Committee Members 9
Community Engagement Summary 9
Conclusion 12
Appendix 13
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2024
DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Strategic Planning Executive Summary
Phase I
Strategic Plan Development
On September 11, 2023, the DCSD Board of Education approved a contract with the Insight Education
Group to develop an updated strategic plan for the school district. This comprehensive process
engaged the community and all stakeholder groups to create universal ownership and support for
district and school improvement. Highlights of the process included:
● Development of a 33-member Steering Committee representing various stakeholder groups to
develop the plan
● A comprehensive community engagement component to allow stakeholders to have a voice in
the strategic improvement planning process through participation in surveys and focus groups
● A facilitated planning process that assisted the Steering Committee and Cabinet in analyzing
the strengths and areas of growth for the school district and developing/refining the mission,
vision, core beliefs, goal areas and performance objectives of the strategic improvement plan
● A facilitated process to work with district leaders on developing strategies and key
performance indicators to implement the plan
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
The three phases of the strategic planning process are the pre-work phase, design phase, and
implementation phase. During the pre-work phase, Insight Education Group worked with the Steering
Committee to conduct a needs assessment with a variety of stakeholders – students, parents,
families, teachers, school and district support staff, school leaders, central office administrators, and
community members – to gather feedback virtually and in person. Surveys and focus groups were
conducted as part of this process.
As part of the data analysis, Insight worked with DCSD staff to access appropriate data to inform the
strategic plan so that all decisions about the goal areas, performance objectives, and key performance
indicators were grounded in the district’s data.
The last stage of the process focuses on the implementation of the strategies aligned to the goals and
performance objectives of the plan. Insight will identify action steps throughout the process and
conduct virtual check-ins to ensure that DCSD is reaching its intended outcomes. Insight will create a
performance management process aligned to the Miracles framework to ensure ongoing monitoring
and reporting about the progress of implementation.
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Vision
Current DeKalb Vision Statement:
To inspire our community of learners to achieve educational excellence
Proposed DeKalb Vision Statement:
To prepare students for success as lifelong learners and responsible global citizens
Mission
Current DeKalb Mission Statement:
To ensure student success, leading to higher education, work, and life-long learning
Proposed DeKalb Mission Statement:
To promote the academic, social, and emotional growth of each student by fostering a safe,
supportive, and engaging learning environment
Core Beliefs
Current DeKalb Belief Statements: (4)
We believe:
● In making sure every decision supports quality teaching and learning
● In ensuring we meet every student’s academic, social and emotional needs
● In embracing the cultural diversity of our community as a strength
● In holding everyone accountable for educational excellence
Proposed DeKalb Belief Statements: (4)
We believe in:
● Meeting each student’s academic, social, and emotional needs
● Supporting quality teaching and learning
● Creating equitable educational opportunities for all students
● Embracing cultural diversity
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Strategic Goal Areas and Performance Objectives
Goal Area 1: Student Academic Success with Equity and Access
1.1 Increase proficiency rates in literacy on district and state assessments for all students.
1.2 Increase proficiency rates in numeracy on district and state assessments for all
students.
1.3 Increase the 4- and 5-year cohort graduation rates.
1.4 Ensure all students have equitable access to and support for academic programs and
career pathways.
1.5 Improve student academic growth as measured by the College and Career Readiness
Performance Index (CCRPI).
1.6 Enhance student proficiency in digital literacy skills using innovative technology.
Goal Area 2: School, Family, and Community Engagement
2.1 Strengthen family, school, and community engagement to establish clear, accessible,
and relevant communication tailored to meet stakeholders’ preferences.
2.2 Create opportunities for collaboration between the district, families, community
partners, and businesses to foster partnerships to support district-wide initiatives.
2.3 Improve communication processes for stakeholders to ensure the flow of clear, timely,
and relevant information.
2.4 Establish clear communication channels to effectively engage with multilingual families
and provide equitable access to district and school information.
Goal Area 3: Recruit, Develop, and Retain Talent
3.1 Recruit and hire a diverse and highly qualified workforce that reflects a world-class,
innovative talent pool.
3.2 Develop high performing staff to ensure quality teaching and learning outcomes, an
innovative workforce, and visionary leaders.
3.3 Retain highly effective staff in critical needs positions to ensure the sustainability and
efficiency of integral district programs and services.
3.4 Develop employee pipelines for key staff positions to ensure the long-term viability of
essential programs and services.
Goal Area 4: Culture and Climate
4.1 Ensure all schools provide a safe, orderly, and supportive learning environment for all
students and staff.
4.2 Implement restorative practice structures in all schools and increase the number of
schools using Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programs each
year.
4.3 Improve student attendance by creating a positive and engaging school experience.
4.4 Ensure all schools have staff trained in de-escalation techniques and Crisis Prevention
Intervention (CPI) strategies.
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Goal Area 5: Mental Health and Wellness
5.1 Create safe and supportive environments that promote mental health and wellness.
5.2 Increase awareness of factors that can impact mental health to foster well-managed
learning environments.
5.3 Increase mental health support staff to improve classroom behavior and peer
relationships.
5.4 Expand staff participation in mental health professional learning opportunities.
Goal Area 6: Organizational Excellence
6.1 Provide clean, safe, and efficient school facilities for all students.
6.2 Deliver safe and efficient transportation services to all students.
6.3 Deliver efficient school nutrition services and healthy meals to all students.
6.4 Improve and maintain a secure, accessible, and equitable digital learning environment
for all students.
6.5 Ensure excellent financial management of district resources.
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
DeKalb County School District Strategy Map
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
DeKalb Strategic Plan Steering Committee Members
Stacy Stepney Shakina Champion Ebony Green Danielle Jones
Michelle Dillard Doryiane Gunter Manish Gupta Jennifer Dees
Erick Hofstetter Evelyn Hall Cedric Masten Deborah Jones
Byron Schueneman Kedra Fairweather Paul Mays Juana Alzaga
Kishia Towns Rebecca Braaten Jecorey Jackson Lorraine
Cochran-Johnson
Monika Davis Marcia Coward Autumn Luke
Steve Overcash
Elijah Palmer Kiana King Anne Ferreira
Trenton Arnold Lisa Limoncelli Lysa Moore
Triscilla Weaver Thomas Glanton Rachel Smith
DeKalb County School District Stakeholder Engagement
As a component of its strategic planning process, DeKalb County School District (DCSD), with Insight
Education Group, conducted both an online survey and a series of seventy focus groups open to the
DeKalb County community in the spring of 2024. Over 1200 stakeholders provided input on the
proposed language for the 2024 Strategic Plan in focus groups.
Focus Group Sessions:
Total Groups 70* (42 in-person; 28 virtual)
Staff Groups 52 (29 in-person; 23 virtual)
Parent/Community Groups 9 (7 in-person; 2 virtual)
High School Student Groups 7 (in-person)
All Stakeholders 2 (virtual)
*Two focus group sessions were open to both staff and parent/community members.
In-Person Sites:
Chamblee High School Southwest DeKalb High School
Cross Keys High School Stone Mountain High School
Dunwoody Elementary School Fairington Elementary School
Briar Vista Elementary School Rock Chapel Elementary School
Columbia High School Clarkston High School
Tucker High School Rowland Elementary School
McNair Discovery Central Office
Oak Grove Elementary School
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Initial Online Survey Window January 8 - February 16, 2024
Survey respondents and community engagement meeting participants all answered the following four
questions:
1. What should the DeKalb County School District prioritize in the next 3-5 years as part of
their next Strategic Plan? Select five priorities from the list of sixteen.
2. What should the DeKalb County School District start doing in order to provide a high-quality
education to all students?
3. What should the DeKalb County School District stop doing in order to provide a high-quality
education to all students?
4. What should the DeKalb County School District continue doing in order to provide a
high-quality education to all students?
For the first question, survey respondents were asked to select from a list of priorities and for the
remaining 3, stakeholders were asked to respond as an open response.
On-line Stakeholder Survey: 10,437 DeKalb County stakeholders participated in the online survey.
The largest group (23.3%) reported that their household was zoned for District 1, with the second
largest group zoned for District 4 (14%).
Table 1 shows the distribution of responses across board member districts.
District # # Respondents % of total
District 1 2437 23.3%
District 2 1097 11%
District 3 1146 11%
District 4 1484 14%
District 5 1374 13%
District 6 1359 13%
District 7 672 6.4%
Unidentified 868 8.3%
Total 10437 100%
Table 2 shows the respondents’ relationship to DCSD. The majority of survey respondents were
parents/guardians and teachers.
Table 2 shows the respondents’ relationships to DCSD.
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Relationship to DCSD Number Percentage
Parent/Guardian 4026 39%
Teacher 2262 22%
Community Member 346 3%
DCSD Employee (with children in the district) 403 4%
DCSD School level Employee 916 9%
DCSD District level Employee 508 5%
Student 1976 19%
Total 10437 100%
Strategic Planning Focus Groups: 1245 participants attended focus group meetings. Participants
provided feedback on the proposed core beliefs, foundational language and goal areas.
Table 3 shows the number of participants in Focus Groups.
Table 3. Community Engagement Meeting Participation
Meeting Number of Participants
District 1 107
District 2 60
District 3 115
District 4 122
District 5 102
District 6 81
District 7 98
Business Community / All Stakeholders 560
Total 1245
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Conclusion
Insight's stakeholder survey and focus groups yielded rich data that facilitated a crucial step – aligning
foundational language, core beliefs, and goals with the community's feedback. The engagement
process not only fostered alignment but also identified key areas for improvement. Stakeholders
pinpointed challenges in facilities and instruction, providing valuable insights for future development.
The critical need for recruiting and retaining qualified teachers was also emphasized. Additionally,
they expressed a strong desire for increased support from the broader DeKalb County community. For
a breakdown of stakeholder feedback, please see Appendix 1.
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Appendix 1: Survey Results
What should DeKalb County prioritize in the next 3-5 years as part of their next Strategic Plan? (top
10 priorities per group)
School District
Employee Community
Answer Choices Student Parent Teacher Level Level All
/Parent / Business
Employee Employee
Mental Health/Social 65% 58% 63% 56% 69% 56% 63% 60%
Emotional wellness
Employee recruitment and 39% 59% 64% 62% 63% 34% 45%
retention
Age and maintenance of 27% 44% 41% 48% 46% 45% 38% 42%
school district facilities
School Safety 57% 52% 45% 41% 51% 47% 37% 50%
High school readiness, 59% 47% 42% 28% 34% 42% 41% 43%
graduation, and
post-graduate success
Educational equity for all 42% 41% 47% 39% 44% 49% 49% 42%
students
Accelerated student 30% 38% 29% 36% 36% 30% 28% 35%
learning (due to COVID-19)
Expanding school choice 59% 40% 29% 22% 39% 36%
career programs, and
access to advanced courses
Professional and career 26% 32% 33% 29% 34% 42% 31%
development and training
for employees
Investment in technology 28% 29% 30% 26%
and associated training
Early Childhood Education 21% 24% 32% 24% 23% 27%
3rd Grade Reading 31% 20%
Graduate Profile 23%
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
What should the DeKalb County School District start doing in order to provide a high-quality education to all
students? (open-ended response)
Teachers Top 10 Trends
Focus on student achievement
Teacher support and professional development
Parental involvement and communication
Equity and ensuring all students are successful
Positive school climate and social-emotional learning
Reading, Writing and math achievement
Investment in resources
Focus on a well-rounded education
Data-driven decision making
District and School Employee Top 10 Trends
Focus on student achievement
Support for all students
Teacher quality and training
Smaller class sizes
Technology integration
Parental involvement
Mental health support
Reading and Math achievement
Summer programs
Curriculum resources
Parent/Guardian Top 10 Trends
Focus on equitable and healthy learning environments
Redistricting for fairness and access
More remote learning days
Improved discipline and classroom management
Teacher pay and support
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DeKalb County School District
Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Focus on core curriculum
Smaller class sizes
Improved facilities maintenance
New school construction
Support for counselors and resources for parents
Employees who are Parent/Guardian Top 10 Trends
Focus on student achievement
Smaller Class Sizes
Teacher Support:
Parental Involvement:
Improved Communication
Positive school climate
Data-driven decisions
Standardized testing to gather data
Focus on reading and math
Equity
Student Top 10 Trends
Mental Health and Well-Being
Real-World Skills and College/Career Prep
Improved Learning Environment
Teacher Quality and Support
Student Agency and Voice
Technology in the classroom
Equity and Access
Safe and Secure Environment
Facilities and Maintenance
Schedule and Flexibility
Community Member Top 10 Trends
Focus on student achievement and academic excellence
Improved communication and collaboration
Staff well-being and professional development
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Strategic Planning Report – 2024
Equity and inclusion
Family and community engagement
Positive school climate and social-emotional learning
Data-driven decision making
Smaller class sizes
Enrichment programs for high-achieving students
Arts and a well-rounded education
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