HSD initiates Hazelwood Next to involve stakeholders in planning for the future
The Hazelwood School District is involving stakeholders in the development of a strategic plan for the District. A steering committee representative of students, staff members, parents and community members will begin meeting February 4 through “Hazelwood Next.” The steering committee is expected to make recommendations to the HSD Board of Education in February, 2014
Superintendent Dr. Grayling Tobias said he is excited about using a process that HSD has successfully used in the past to develop a plan for the future.
“As we move forward, it is important for the Hazelwood School District to get the input and support of our entire community in planning for our future,” he said. “We had great success with public engagement in the past through Hazelwood 1st. Hazelwood Next will use some of the processes we used in Hazelwood 1st to discuss a variety of topics impacting the future of HSD.”
In 2003, more than 1,000 HSD community members came together to participate in one of the largest public engagement campaigns in Missouri – Hazelwood 1st. District staff members and residents attended meetings, studied issues facing HSD, collaborated and made recommendations.
The Hazelwood 1st effort resulted in district-wide full-day kindergarten, four new middle schools and library, office, clinic and classroom renovations at elementary schools throughout the district. In addition, Hazelwood 1st resulted in new space for students in our GALACTIC gifted programs and early childhood programs. A new library was constructed at Hazelwood Central High School, and work has begun on new libraries at Hazelwood East and Hazelwood West high schools. The district is also working on heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) updates, data and power distribution and replacing hazardous floor tile.
Dr. Tobias said that topics to be studied during Hazelwood Next are the result of responses to the structured learning questions that were shared with students, staff members, parents and members of the public as part of his transition plan when he was named superintendent last fall. Possible topics include academic achievement and accreditation, alternative education, district perception/community support, high school programming, middle school programming, mission/vision/governing principles, parent involvement, cultural competency, reading instruction, and safety and school climate.
He added that once the steering committee determines specifically what topics will be addressed, additional members of the public will have the opportunity to become involved through subcommittees. Future meetings of the steering committee include Feb. 26, March 25, April 30, May 28, Aug. 19, Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 19 and Jan. 27. Meetings are open to the general public for observation. A summary of each meeting will also be posted on the District website.
Meeting 3 - April 3, 2013
Meeting 1 - February 4, 2013