Huntington School Board
Adopts Eight Goals
Huntington School Board members adopted without a dissenting vote a set of eight annual goals for the 2012/13 school year. Trustees took the action during their meeting this past Monday night at Jack Abrams School.
Trustees began discussing possible goals for the year during an evening retreat in August. Since then the goals have been streamlined and refined. During Monday night's meeting, Superintendent James W. Polansky outlined the process leading up to the development of the final list of goals and offered a concise overview each one for the audience, which numbered about 100. A draft copy of the goals was also posted on the district's website in the days leading up to the meeting.
The adopted goals for 2012/13 include:
• Continue to demonstrate measurable improvement in overall student performance (adequate yearly program) and sub-group gap-closing at all buildings, including the high school graduation rate.
• Effectively implement Common Core curricula in grades K-8, while providing appropriate rigor and individualization in classrooms at all levels. Continue planning for the Common Core shift at the high school level.
• Develop a fiscally responsible and transparent budget given the economic constraints and conditions resulting from the second year of the tax levy cap, maximizing efficiencies while maintaining the integrity of programs and services offered at all Huntington School District schools.
• Further evaluate and determine effective use of all district facilities, including investigation of "green" initiatives that can affect potential short, intermediate and long-term efficiencies and cost savings.
• Review/evaluate technology solutions for educational purposes, district communications and state assessment requirements; incorporate the findings into a revised technology plan for the district.
• Continue to improve public perception of the Huntington School District by highlighting successes through outreach to community members and groups and by proactively engaging the local media.
• Continue to improve relations with the town government, district residents and community groups in a manner that will directly benefit Huntington School District students and the district community.
• Work with the district's food service provider to improve the quality and nutritional benefits of the food served in all schools with the goal of serving better tasting, health-supporting food that is appealing to every student.