Spring 206 Concrete School District Strategic Planning Process

Concrete School District has begun the process of developing a new district strategic plan with facilitation from the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). A strategic plan helps guide the district’s priorities, goals, and decision-making over the next several years.

Community input will play an important role in shaping the district’s mission, vision, and priorities moving forward.

The district last completed a strategic planning process in 2018. Since that time, there have been many changes in education both locally and statewide, including changes in academic standards and graduation requirements, increased student support and compliance expectations, new technology and instructional practices, and financial pressures facing school districts. Districts are also experiencing reduced funding in some areas and an increasing number of unfunded mandates, while continuing to meet numerous state and federal requirements.

Developing a new strategic plan will help ensure the district’s priorities reflect current needs, opportunities, and the long-term success of Concrete School District students.

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Planning Process Background

The Concrete School Board participated in a strategic planning workshop and training session on February 10, which was open to board members and community members interested in learning more about the WSSDA strategic planning process.

During a February 24 Board workshop, Superintendent Carrie Crickmore presented the WSSDA proposal for facilitating the district’s strategic planning process. On February 26, the Concrete School Board voted to approve the proposal and contract with WSSDA to facilitate the district’s strategic planning.

The district’s strategic planning process will be facilitated by Mary Fertakis, a former Tukwila School Board member and past president of WSSDA with extensive experience supporting school districts in strategic planning and governance.

Additional information and updates will be posted on the district website: https://www.concrete.k12.wa.us/en-US/district-strategic-plan-019e1607

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Listening Sessions (March 30 – April 3)

An important part of the strategic planning process is gathering feedback from students, staff, families, and the community. The district will host listening sessions during the week of March 30 through April 3 to gather input from a wide range of perspectives.

During the listening sessions, participants will be asked to share their perspectives about what is going well in the district and what could be improved to better serve students and families moving forward.

The district will host:

• Five parent and community listening sessions
• Two staff listening sessions
• Seven student listening sessions

Listening sessions will be facilitated by Mary Fertakis. District administrators will not attend, so participants can share their perspectives openly.

Individuals who have multiple roles in the district—for example, a staff member who is also a parent—are welcome to attend more than one session if it aligns with their role.

For those unable to attend, written feedback forms will be available, and feedback may also be submitted by email.

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Strategic Planning Committee

Following the listening sessions, a Strategic Planning Committee will meet to review feedback and help develop the district’s strategic plan.

The committee will include students, staff, parents, community members, local employers, and two school board members, with up to 20 members selected by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee.

The Strategic Planning Steering Committee includes:

• Carrie Crickmore, Superintendent
• Jennifer Henderson, Elementary Principal
• Cheri VanWagoner, High School Teacher
• Violet League, Elementary Teacher/Coach

The Strategic Planning Committee will meet four times between April 27 and June 5 for three-hour working sessions, with preparation and review between meetings. Committee members will be expected to attend all meetings and complete work between sessions.

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Timeline

March 30 – April 3: Listening sessions with students, staff, families, and community members

April 27 – June 5: Strategic Planning Committee meets four times to develop the draft strategic plan

June 2026: Draft strategic plan presented to the School Board for review and recommendation for adoption

Summer/Fall 2026: Final strategic plan adopted, and implementation begins