The ER9 District (Easton, Redding and Region 9) is an exceptional school system committed to providing the communities of Easton and Redding with a dynamic and high quality education for our children. Our most important assets are our neighborhood schools. Therefore, there is a strong commitment by all stakeholders to improve teaching and learning for all students today and in the future. As we build the 2023-2024 budget and look ahead to the next three years, it is time to set our strategic priorities for the future.

A Strategic Plan for the Success of Our Students, Families, and Staff

Why a Strategic Plan?

Virtually all organizations view strategic planning as an opportunity to plan for the future. Since ER9 represents three school districts, there are challenges in developing a common plan; essentially, we are one organism with three brains. However, if intelligence is one’s ability to learn from experiences, adapt, and plan for the future, I believe there are common priorities that serve Easton and Redding students. Our strategic plan represents the priorities and actions, along with performance indicators, to identify what is most important for the success of our students, families, and staff.

DR. JASON MCKINNON, SUPERINTENDENT

Metrics and Goals

A strategic plan focuses on financial and human investments. Underlying these priorities include metrics and goals that are targeted to increase student performance. These goals and actions are defined in our District and School Improvement Plans. Key metrics are included below.

Key Milestones

Our strategic plan has over N=50 priorities that are sorted into six categories. While each priority is important, we labeled some actions as milestones. These milestones deserve highlighting because students and teachers expressed interest in these ideas. Emphasizing these areas will improve the overall quality of our schools, scaffold innovation, and increase student engagement.

  • Students will complete 500 computer science lessons by grade 7

  • Increase % of students taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade

  • Increase access and participation in extracurricular activities

  • Ensure High Quality Teaching and Learning

  • Increase student collaboration

  • Expand computer science and engineering pathways at the High School

  • Increase opportunities for students to study their interests and authentic experiences

The Process

During the spring of 2022, Dr. McKinnon asked faculty members, students, and community members two questions:

  1. What does the ideal school look like?

  2. What skills and dispositions do students need to be successful when they graduate?

We sorted through hundreds of responses and identified six main themes. Together, our intention is to remain committed to addressing the needs of all students with six priorities guiding our work:

Priorities

  1. High quality teaching and learning

2. Developing a culture that promotes a nurturing and welcoming climate and deeper, more engaged learning

3. Improve school facilities to ensure student safety, long-term sustainability, and enhance student learning

4. Meet the needs of all learners

5. Develop a K-12 Portrait of a Graduate that emphasizes real-world experiences and innovative learning

6. Promote effective operations and skillful staff