This school year, the Highland Park Public Schools District began the strategic planning process, calling members of the community to contribute their thoughts and ideas toward improving the local education system. The first meeting of this effort took place on October 18, 2023, where Superintendent Dr. Kristina Susca presented the “State of the District” report, including demographic information, past strategic plans, current policies and needs, and direction for future initiatives. Patti Reeds of the New Jersey Schools Boards Association (NJSBA) introduced the strategic planning process.
Over fifty administrators, Board of Education members, students, staff, parents, and other community members brainstormed strengths and challenges within the district through small-group discussions. These discussions drew upon the District’s Mission Statement, “to provide the community with the finest educational services through respect for diversity and commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and achievement of excellence.”
Participants praised the school district for its diversity, supportive community, faculty and staff, extracurricular opportunities, special needs program, and social-emotional learning. Challenges included facilities, school schedules and later start times, a lack of parental involvement, changing demographics, community engagement, and curriculum consistency.
At a second strategic planning meeting, held on January 17, 2024, community members collaborated in creating a shared vision for the school district, referring to the strengths and weaknesses previously identified. Small groups assembled several areas of focus moving forward, such as effective communication, inclusivity and identity affirmation, student-centered learning, reading and math support, addressing various students’ needs, student mentoring, and bringing in more financial resources. These points and concerns produced three common themes: culture and climate, connecting resources and improving communications, and well-defined technology policy.
The last community meeting in the strategic planning process is scheduled for February 21, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Highland Park High School cafeteria. To learn more about strategic planning in the district, please visit www.hpschools.net/page/strategic-plan.