Strategic Plan

The last time Robbinsdale Area Schools modified its strategic plan was 2018 – well before the pandemic and racial upheaval upended lives across the globe, and before public education in our nation was changed forever. 

Over the past few months, we've gathered the input of students, families, educators, leaders and community members from across the district. This has been done through surveys, small group meetings, targeted conversations and community input sessions. 

As staff members continued to work on the plan in the summer of 2022, we realized we needed more time to put meat on the bones of the strategic framework. We want to ensure the plan strives explicitly for racial equity in its academic outcomes. 

We anticipate bringing the new plan to the school board for approval by the end of 2022.

Thank you for helping Robbinsdale Area Schools create a plan that provides the education our students need and deserve.

Sincerely,

David Engstrom, Superintendent

Timeline

At its June 20 meeting, the School Board approved the strategic plan framework, which is the direct result of stakeholder input over the spring. This framework includes a number of priority outcomes grounded in equity, four themes, and a number of associated objectives for each theme. See the approved framework.

Each theme has objectives, which have strategic initiatives. Moving forward, teams will work on specific initiatives, and when complete and implemented, will move on to a new initiative.

Strategic Plan Framework
Priority Outcomes Grounded in Equity	Themes	Objectives	Initiatives *Stage 1 initiatives, set for 2023
All students are ready for school Reading proficiency by 3rd grade Academic and social-emotional growth in middle grades Improve achievement for students of color and lower-income students Student engagement in school and learning Student support from families to learn and achieve Clear path and readiness for career, college and life	Strategic Theme A: Academic Achievement	Enhance cultural relevance of curriculum for students Enhance an equitable learning system from early childhood to adults Increase responsiveness to individual student needs Deepen preparation for life, college and career	1a. Implement culturally responsive teaching and culturally relevant instructional resources 2a. Implement a blended learning instructional framework throughout RAS 2b. Transform grading practices to incorporate standards-based grading 2c. Implement a redesigned middle school model district-wide 3a. Establish classroom systems that productively address student behavior 3b. Personalize curriculum in response to student voice and choice 4a. Increase opportunities for applied career experiences 4b. Integrate career exploration within the PK-12 curriculum 4c. Define the essential characteristics of the future graduate in collaboration with our community, and align learning opportunities for all students
	Strategic Theme B: Student Engagement and Wellness	Improve student-staff connection Increase student access to school opportunities, programs, and activities Increase support for student social, emotional, and mental wellness Strengthen practices around student, staff, and school safety	1a. Implement a system to ensure every student has a positive relationship with at least one adult at school 1b. Identify and implement student voice at the building and district level 2a. Remove barriers to student access and participation 2b. Create programming and activities that are responsive to parent and student interests and needs 3a. Build staff and student skills and develop resources to provide support and strategies that are responsive to individual needs 3b. Create and develop student wellness spaces in each building 4a. Train staff and students on policies regarding protocols on staff and student interactions
	Strategic Theme C: Collaboration and Partnerships	Strengthen mutual communication and responsiveness with all stakeholders Expand equitable inclusion and influence of student, family, staff, and community voice Maximize our partnerships and embrace our diverse community	1a. Inform and engage stakeholders through targeted and responsive communication 1b. Improve communication with multilingual families, communities - at all levels (classroom, school, district) 2a. Establish practices that increase family and community engagement in reviewing school culture and climate, and providing feedback that leads to improved student outcomes 3a. Develop strategic partnerships that meet the needs of students, staff, and families
	Strategic Theme D: Staff Investment and Impact	Enhance hiring and retention to support student success Cultivate the district culture to be inclusive, supportive, and welcoming  Increase consistency and accountability for common district practices Provide high quality professional development opportunities	1a. Enhance the diversity, efficiency and effectiveness of hiring 1b. Create retention practices for all staff to reduce turnover and build a stronger workplace culture 2a. Develop and strengthen onboarding and mentorship programs with each employee group 2b. Establish an employee culture that is anti-racist, welcoming, and grounded in mutual respect for each other 3a. Create a robust evaluation system, with documentation, that includes feedback to strengthen performance of each staff member 3b. Create a common and comprehensive vetting process to align, implement, and evaluate district initiatives

Families, staff and community members are invited to participate in one of four strategic plan community focus groups.

View the community input session and school board presentation

• Helen Bassett, School Board Chair/Director
• Greta Evans-Becker, School Board Clerk/Director
• Toya Stewart Downey, Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Equity and Inclusion
• Peter Eckhoff, President - Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers (RFT)
• David Engstrom, Superintendent
• Patty Flores, RAS parent
• Meghan Hickey, Director of Student Services (no longer with the district or on the committee)
• Willie Howard, Athletic/Activities Director - Cooper High School
• Nina Jonson, RAS parent
• Sonya Lewis, RAS parent
• Fathia Mohamed, RAS parent
• Alicia Morales Garcia, RAS parent
• Matt Pletcher, Director of Secondary Curriculum and Multilingual Programs
• Mike Rieckenberg, Principal - Noble Elementary
• Francisco Compean Rocha, RAS parent
• Abby Rombalski, RAS parent
• Dena Russell, Director of Partnerships and College Pathways - Hennepin Technical College
• Marti Voight, Assistant Superintendent
• Anthony Williams, Executive Director of Community Education, Athletics and Activities