MADISON – Madison Board of Education has approved the district’s Strategic Plan, the result of months of feedback from teachers, staff, parents, students and residents from surveys, work sessions and meetings.

Dr. Ed Nichols, Superintendent of Madison City Schools, said the plan establishes goals for the next five years in Academics, Special Services, Operations and Facilities, Communication, Support Services, Technology and Faculty and Staff.

In great detail, the 28-page document explains tools, assigned personnel and action items for the goals. For each action item, the document states timeline for implementation, MCS employee as lead, data marker for sources like a survey or employee-written report, and date when the school board will receive an update.

* Academics — The focus will involve student achievement; academic and extracurricular activities; and high-quality professional development.

One task for academics is the review of expanding elementary ‘specials’ to 30 minutes weekly and year-round for Spanish, music, art and STEM. Teachers will promote dual enrollment opportunities with local community colleges for academics or industry sites for trade skills.

* Special Services – This area will emphasize quality professional development for teachers of students with disabilities. The district will confirm consistency of programming, services and support for students with disabilities and the staff who support and teach them.

In addition, MCS will expand its capacity to support English Learner instruction.

* Operations and Facilities — Documents needed financial strength to always increase and fund the needs of students, faculty and staff. District employees must consider funding sources, provisions for extended day, summer school rates and continuous tax revenues.

This section states that the Capital Plan will include items with safety priorities that exceed $50,000. The school’s budget or maintenance budget will include needs that are less than $50,000.

* Communications – The district can expand and improve stakeholder involvement in various initiatives. MCS should organize leadership teams, issue a yearly survey of stakeholders, continue Teacher of the Year and Staff Member of the Year and identify expectations for school and district recognitions.

* Support Services – Continue to study growing needs for students’ mental health by providing high-quality training and lessons for all stakeholders. Action steps will include adding a platform for grades K-12 to support mental health.

In addition, teachers will continue instructions for training in ‘first aid’ for youth mental health. Administrators will monitor the Academy and placement of students with non-traditional needs.

* Technology — MCS will increase its cyber-security presence to protect data sources and build a more secure infrastructure for the district. The district wants to replace outdated hardware, including servers, computers, access points, switches, routers and other outdated technology solutions.

MCS will provide a device (computer) for all students, along with increasing supporta.

* Faculty/Staff — The district is committed to hiring top-notch, quality employees by using consistent procedures. Related needs are evaluation of salary schedule, reviewing the interview process and identifying creative ways to reach certification.

To view the Strategic Plan, visit madisoncity.k12.al.us. Click the “District” dropdown menu, and then click “Strategic Plan.”