Mark Anderson

The 2022-2028 Strategic Plan for Spokane Public Schools, detailed within this report, is developed with a racial-equity lens. It focuses on four main goals: Caring & Connecting Community, Strong Foundations, Student Supports & Transitions, and 21st Century Learning & Career Pathways. The plan aims to establish equity policies, promote anti-racism and cultural responsiveness, eliminate systemic barriers, improve student access and achievement, and reduce disproportionality, ensuring "Excellence for Everyone Through Equity" and providing "Dream Access Opportunity" for every student.

This document outlines priority strategies designed to enhance educational programs, student support services, and operational efficiencies. Key initiatives include developing athletics and activities programming, refining special education transition programs, optimizing enrollment patterns, and evaluating literacy curricula. The plan also focuses on promoting student wellness, expanding community engagement through volunteer programs and capital bond communication, modernizing transportation services, and implementing career readiness courses, including exploration of a new Trades High School. Further efforts involve fostering Native Education programming, improving multilingual services, and achieving cost savings through operational enhancements.

The school board meeting discussed and adopted the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Key discussion points included the allocation of funds for various educational programs, support services, and administrative activities. The budget outlines the projected revenues from local taxes, state and federal sources, and other financing sources, as well as the planned expenditures for regular instruction, special education, vocational education, community services, and other support services.

The school board approved a change from the valedictorian system to Latin honors starting with the class of 2020 graduation. This system recognizes the top students at each high school using weighted grade point averages. An additional change was made to class rank; the class ranking system divides the senior class into sections and gives all students in the top 10% the same rank. This system supports our goal of encouraging students to take classes that interest them instead of just focusing on getting good grades.

The Spokane Public Schools are planning modernization projects as part of the 2024 Bond. These projects include addressing parking issues and modernizing classrooms, the library, and offices in the South Wing of North Central High School. The aim is to improve access to a secure entry point. Additionally, the auditorium, band and choir rooms, and visual arts classrooms will be updated and resized to accommodate the school's current student population.