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GREENWICH TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION #1

SUPERINTENDENTS STATE OF THE SCHOOLS

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AGENDA

Welcome and Introductions

The Strategic Planning Process

State of the Schools

Brainstorming

Sharing our Thoughts

Wrap Up

Next Meeting January 22, 2025

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THE POWER OF

STRATEGIC PLANNING

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ENROLLMENT TRENDS

Pros:

  1. Increasing enrollment can mean increased state funds for the next year
  2. Decreasing OOD students
  3. Increasing tuition-based students

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Cons:

  1. Increase during the year, no additional funds
  2. Increase in class size
  3. Unknown future students needs

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FISCAL PLANNING

CONS:

  • State funding cumulative loss $4.3 M
  • 16 staff cuts in 6 years
  • Building Upkeep / Maintenance suffered

PROS:

  • Referendum passing November 2023
    • Brought back 5 staff 3 BSI, 1 art and 1 music
  • Additional funding added to levy through Bill A4161/S3081
    • Total additional levy funds = $839,215.00

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BUDGET DETAILS $19,485,602.00� LOCAL LEVY $13,427,861.00

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PRIOR STRATEGIC PLAN 2018-21��GTSD STRENGTHS:�1. TEACHERS AND STAFF�2. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT�3. PARENTAL SUPPORT�4. A. CURRICULUM / PROGRAM� B. BUDGET MANAGEMENT (TIE)�5. A. STUDENTS� B. COMMUNITY� C. COMMUNICATION� D. FORWARD DIRECTION (TIE)

GTSD CHALLENGES

1DECREASING FUNDING AND RESOURCES

2. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS / MAINTENANCE

3. INCREASE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION ENROLLMENT

4. LACK OF STAFF DIVERSITY

5. POTENTIAL DIFFICULTY IN HIRING HIGHLY SKILLED STAFF

6. INABILITY TO OFFER EXPANDED PROGRAMS

7. UNFUNDED MANDATES

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GOAL AREA #3: FACILITIES & RESOURCES�GOAL STATEMENT: TO IMPROVE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY TO MEET THE DISTRICT’S FACILITY NEEDS.�OBJECTIVES:�1. DEVELOP A MAINTENANCE PLAN TO UPGRADE EXISTING FACILITIES TO BE MORE ENERGY AND COST EFFICIENT.�2. CONTINUE TO UPGRADE SECURITY NEEDS IN BOTH SCHOOLS.�3. INVESTIGATE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP WITH FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF BUILDING IMPROVEMENT.�4. EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY REGARDING EXISTING FACILITY NEEDS.���GOAL AREA #4: ACADEMIA, WELLNESS AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP�GOAL STATEMENT: TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATED, WELL-ADJUSTED, SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE GLOBAL�CITIZENS.�OBJECTIVES:�1. CONTINUE TO INSPIRE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.�2. IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLNESS.�3. ENGAGE STUDENTS IN ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

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ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT �NJSLA ELA DATA

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NJSLA MATH DATA

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NJSLA SCIENCE

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ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS BY THE NJDOE

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ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT/ PROGRAMS

CONS:

  1. OVERALL ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ELA, MATH AND SCIENCE NOT MEETING ALL STATE ACHIEVEMENT GOALS
  2. LIMITED COURSE PROGRAMMING BASED UPON PAST STAFFING CUTS
  3. GROWING CLASS SIZE
  4. LIMITED STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRIOR TO 2023

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PROS:

  1. SOLID ACADEMIC GROWTH IN ELA AND MATH AS DEFINED BY COHORT GROUPS
  2. GRANT FUNDED ASSISTANCE FOR TUTORING SERVICES
  3. PASSED REFERENDUM BRINGING BACK ART/MUSIC BASIC SKILLS INSTRUCTION
  4. INCREASED AND ENHANCED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF

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BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

CONS:

  1. Failed Referendum to replace roofs and HVAC systems
  2. Solar system not properly functioning
  3. Costs for roof replacement well beyond our budget capabilities
  4. SMS HVAC system will continue to degrade
  5. 3 classrooms closed at GES due to active leaks

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PROS:

  1. Additional levy funds increase buildings and grounds budget by $500,000 to assist in building upkeep and maintenance
  2. Great steps forward in safety and security with district and police grant funds
  3. Small self contained HVAC units have been added to all impacted locations

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STAFFING

PROS:

  1. Dedicated
  2. Experienced
  3. Driven
  4. Compassionate
  5. Knowledgeable
  6. Creative

CONS:

  1. Lower pay than surrounding districts
  2. Staffing Shortages
  3. Experienced staff means many ready to retire
  4. Professional development costs $

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TECHNOLOGY

PROS:

  1. 1:1 initiative Grades 2-8
  2. Devices updated every 3-4 years through leases
  3. SMARTBOARD Tech in all rooms
  4. Updated Servers and Firewalls
  5. New Tech labs in each building

CONS:

  1. Wiring and hotspots are old and dated- With funding through ERATE we are working to upgrade
  2. Costly to maintain and update

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FINAL TIPS & TAKEAWAYS

  • There are many strengths of GTSD
  • There are many challenges
  • Together we can prioritize challenges and build upon our strengths through strategic planning.

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THANK YOU

Tina Neely, Superintendent

Patricia Rees, NJSBA Representative