By Cathy Higgins
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Phase one of the Yes We Can Baldwin co-owned strategic plan now has a thumbs up from the Baldwin County Board of Education.
During its regular meeting in Bay Minette Thursday, the board approved the first phase of the plan designed to involve the community in the county’s education system.
“It is a blueprint for moving our schools to excellence,” Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Alan Lee said in an interview following the board meeting. “It’s good for our schools, it’s good for our children, and it’s good for the county.”
He explain that development on the plan began over a year ago with the school system seeking input on improving education in the county.
According to documentation of the plan, “Yes We Can” “is a research-based process designed to reconnect community and schools.”
Implementing the plan involves five priorities:
1. Funding.
2. Accountability — Establish a data-driven accountability framework that supports quality teaching and learning.
3. Leadership — Develop leaders who will transform education.
4. Every student college or work-force ready — Graduation for all.
5. Communication to inform, engate and connect all citizens as shareholde3rs of the public schools — Inform, engage and connect all citizens in the successful implementation of this co-owned strategic plan.
According to plan documentation, each priority is addressed with a multiple-step action plan to be completed within 30, 60 or 90 days. If longer is needed, the time and reasoning is stated.
The action plan also indicates who has the responsibility for eah step. For example, the plan places setting a board of directors and documenting it within 60 days as the responsibility of the community.
