Marissa Santiago

This document is a transcript of the first strategic planning meeting for the Trenton Public Schools, held on April 21st, 2026, to gather stakeholder input for the district's next three-to-five-year strategic plan, following the completion of the previous 2021-2026 plan. The core mission emphasizes ensuring all students graduate with a vision for their future, motivated to learn continually, and prepared for college or career. Key strengths identified include strong community engagement, dedicated staff, technology investments, robust extracurricular programs, a focus on restorative practices and social-emotional learning, continuous staff development, effective HR outreach, consistent leadership, and steady academic growth. Challenges highlighted include student and staff absenteeism, transportation issues, ensuring equitable resources across schools, climate control in aging buildings, managing learning loss, supporting a transient student population, and addressing external pressures like poverty and crime. The meeting underscored the importance of collaborative stakeholder input in shaping the district's future direction.

This document details the initial phase of strategic planning for Trenton Public Schools, focusing on identifying organizational strengths and challenges. It begins with the mission to prepare all students for future success in college or career. The first planning session, held on April 21, 2026, gathered stakeholders to brainstorm and identify common themes for strengths, such as community engagement and consistent leadership, and challenges, including student/staff attendance, parent engagement, and literacy rates. These outcomes form the foundation for developing future strategic essentials and goal areas.

This document summarizes the outcomes of the second strategic planning meeting for Trenton Public Schools, held in May 2026, as part of the process to create a strategic plan. The meeting focused on defining a 'Portrait of a Learner' by identifying essential skills and initiatives for students. The plan's mission is to ensure all students graduate prepared for college or career success. Five broad strategic planning goal areas were identified: Health & Wellness, School Culture & Climate, Finance & Facility, Student Achievement & Engagement, and Community Engagement, Parent Involvement & Communication. These goals are intended to guide the district for a period of three to five years.

The meeting focused on the initial session of the district's three to five-year strategic plan, building upon the foundation of the previous five-year plan. The discussion covered the district's mission statement, the identification of a breakthrough result centered on high-level teaching and learning, and specific district goals including instructional practice, technology integration, community engagement, and facilities management. The board and administrative team reviewed the progress made in these areas, emphasized the importance of accountability, and discussed future planning requirements.

The workshop focused on empowering Latino parents to have their voices heard in public schools. Key discussion topics included the impact of the pandemic on parenthood, strategies to prevent parental burnout, the challenges of virtual learning, and the importance of finding support within the community. The meeting also addressed the mental, economic, and emotional struggles faced by immigrant parents, and introduced available resources such as a toll-free help line and ongoing support groups to assist with parenting challenges.