Dean Doerflein

This document, titled 'Northwest Connects: State of The District 2025', provides an update on the Northwest Local School District's progress and strategic direction. It details the first year of a three-year 'one plan' for continuous improvement, which began in the 2024-25 school year and aims to achieve an overall four-star rating by its conclusion. Key focus areas include enhancing academic achievement, providing diverse academic opportunities (such as AP, college credit plus, and career tech), fostering career readiness through work-based learning and pre-apprenticeships, and enriching student experiences through arts, athletics, and various clubs. The plan also emphasizes staff support, community partnerships, and facility improvements, including the construction of a new elementary school. The overarching mission is to create a responsive learning community where all students are guided, valued, challenged, and prepared for success in college, career, military, or the workforce, embodying the district's 'portrait of a graduate'.

The Northwest Local School District's strategic plan emphasizes attendance, classroom environment, and academics. The plan aims to ensure students attend school, learn in conducive environments, and achieve high academic levels. Priorities include reducing chronic absenteeism, maintaining student engagement by limiting cell phone use, and connecting classroom content to real-world work experiences through business partnerships. The plan also focuses on fiscal responsibility and community engagement.

The Northwest Local School District's plan focuses on addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of students and educators, with a priority on a safe return to in-person learning. It outlines strategies for identifying impacted students, implementing evidence-based interventions, and utilizing ARP ESSER funds for prevention, mitigation, and support services. The plan emphasizes professional learning for teachers, community partnerships, and the use of data to inform instruction and address learning loss, while also providing alternative educational options and maintaining health and safety protocols.

The board meeting covered various topics, including the nominations and oaths of office for the president and vice president. Discussion included establishing meeting times and locations for the coming year, allocating 30 minutes before each meeting for community member discussions with board members and senior leadership. The meeting also addressed the nominations for student achievement liaison and legislative liaison, the selection of board attorneys, OSBA membership dues and legal assistance fund, establishing the board service fund, authorizing official signatures, authorizing the treasurer to pay bills, investment of inactive and interim funds, designating a representative for public records training, designating representatives for the tax incentive review council, approving student activity accounts, appointing a fiscal officer for student activity accounts, approving board member benefits, approving records retention, approving the fiscal year 26 tax budget, approving blanket certificates, approving an annual fund transfer for athletic programs, and accepting rebates and rewards.

The strategic plan for Northwest Local School District focuses on creating a responsive learning community where all students are valued, challenged, and guided toward success. Key areas of focus include student achievement, social-emotional development, diversity and equity, financial stability, and cultivating a culture of trust. The plan aims to empower students through rigorous and engaging learning experiences, personalized instruction, and a supportive social-emotional culture, while also ensuring financial stability and strong community relationships.