Pine Bluff School District (PBSD) and community members have identified five priority strategies to expand learning opportunities for students, create safer learning environments, improve school facilities, increase the number of excellent teachers and leaders, and build community trust in the district.
Each of the strategies will be implemented over the next five years, starting this school year, as part of the PBSD strategic plan.
The strategies deemed most likely to make a positive impact at PBSD included:
1. Allies for Achievement – Expanding student opportunities and services by forming partnerships with community organizations
2. Soft Skills at School – Building students’ interpersonal skills for future success in college and the workforce
3. Grow-Your-Own Great Staff – Supporting new teacher to get their credentials so they are better prepared for the classroom
4. Elevate Educators – Retaining existing staff through reward and recognition programs and opportunities for leadership
5. Inform to Fix it Faster – Building a transparent system to understand and address concerns
The strategies were carefully selected by a community advisory committee based on research on best practices done by an outside agency and extensive input from the community. In addition to over 500 responses to a community survey, over 50 students, parents, teachers, higher education staff, PBSD staff, local business leaders, and other community members participated in focus groups to advise the community advisory committee on the selection and implementation of the strategies.
Beginning this September, each strategy will be further developed and monitored by a working group made up of community leaders, PBSD staff, and representatives of partner organizations. PBSD is currently seeking community partners who are interested in participating in the working groups or contributing to the success of the strategies. Please complete this form (https://forms.gle/bWXWfhbff57oVQWV9) by September 14, 2022 if you or someone you know is interested in partnering with PBSD.
For additional information on the PBSD strategic planning process, please visit https://sites.google.com/view/pbsd-strategic-planning.
