School District of Lancaster

This document outlines a "Back to School Plan" focused on safely reopening schools. Key priorities include ensuring the health and well-being of the community through daily wellness screenings, mandatory mask-wearing, frequent hand washing, continuous school cleaning, and maintaining social distancing. The plan incorporates hybrid and blended learning models to limit student movement and contacts, restricts visitors, and emphasizes contact tracing to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. The goal is to provide a safe and successful learning environment for students and staff.

The committee meeting focused on improving public communication strategies at both the district and building levels. Key discussion topics included the importance of strengthening community partnerships, establishing clear expectations for these partners, and auditing existing partnership programs. Additionally, the group reviewed the success of the 'First Friday College Apparel Day' initiative designed to encourage post-secondary awareness among students. Action items involved coordinating future business engagement events and inviting school representatives to present existing partnership overviews at upcoming meetings.

The meeting provided a detailed update on the 2022-2023 budget, addressing a projected starting deficit of 12.7 million dollars. Discussion points included enrollment planning, class size adjustments, staff negotiations, programmatic shifts such as dual language and learning sciences sunsets, and a general funding outlook concerning the state budget, ARP-ESSER funds, and tax capacity. The board planned to collaborate on budget adjustments and tax considerations in a future committee meeting.

The committee reviewed a contract for consideration at the upcoming Regular Board meeting and examined the 2016-2017 bus routes listing, both of which were recommended for approval.

The Lancaster Plan serves as a strategic roadmap, built upon a clear mission, high vision, and guiding core values. It is structured around five strategic pillars, with aligned action steps focusing on fostering unity, equity, and growth for every child. Key priorities include setting high expectations, ensuring equity for all, celebrating diversity, driving academic excellence, cultivating a culture of belonging, promoting strong collaboration, empowering students, and prioritizing health and wellness. The plan also emphasizes engaging family and community and optimizing talent to ensure every voice is realized, aiming for innovation within the community.