Committee finds community still engaged in school partnerships

While the Carson City School District’s strategic plan has been successful in helping to forge relationships with the public and met many of the other goals outlined, there is a need for renewed focus and increase in collecting data, according to a report from the committee overseeing the process.

“There’s much to be proud of,” said teacher Ben Contine, chairman of the committee, who presented the report at Tuesday’s Carson City School Board meeting. “There’s still a lot of work to do.”

The committee was formed at the urging of trustee Ron Swirczek, who, when he took office in 2011, argued the district needs to establish a vision. At the first open meeting, in August of that year, to collect ideas for the school district’s vision, more than 70 people showed up. They were teachers, parents, business and city leaders. About the same number showed up to a second meeting the following month.

Five themes were determined as most important to improving the Carson City School District: Community Partnerships, Engaged Parents, Healthy Students, Curriculum, and Exceptional administrators, teachers and staff.

“This is one of the most comprehensive community efforts in the history of the Carson City School District,” Contine said.

As part of the plan, an annual review is required. In the first year’s review, Contine told the board, the committee found an increase in community partnerships and an improvement in all the areas. However, he said, the results are anecdotal.

The next goal, he said, will be to create more specific methods of collecting and measuring data. The committee is also being redesigned by consolidating the five sub-committees.

“By doing so, the Carson City School District will takes its place as a district of national renown, and students from our system will take their place as leading innovators and thinkers in our rapidly changing world,” the report states.

Swirczek said he’s pleased with the progress the committee has made.

“As it all comes together, I can see the benefits for the kids,” he said. “They’re benefitting now, and they’re going to benefit into the future.”