Schools Strategic Plan Outlined

Phyllis Edwards, superintendent for the , and her staff talked 90 minutes Wednesday night about the system's 2011-16 strategic plan.

"I happen to be a big proponent of strategic planning," Edwards told a crowd of about 75 people in the Performing Arts Center at Decatur High. She said the system has met almost all the goals that have been set in the past.

Some of the changes desired for the system: Improve communications, emphasize health and wellness, offer more foreign languages and find ways to keep up with student body growth.

Good things the system is doing that should be continued: Maintain quality teachers, remain a walkable system and come up with more innovations such as the Career Academy at Decatur High.

Edwards said the school board still has to formally approve the strategic plan, though elements are already being implemented. The board will be asked for that approval soon.

All the information about the strategic plan can be found on the school system website, including photos of the event and the powerpoint of the Wednesday presentation, information about how the strategic plan was formulated and the strategic plan itself.

Besides Edwards, presenters Wednesday night included Dr. Thomas Van Soelen, Associate Superintendent; Ken Jackson, Head Counselor at Decatur High School; Karen Koonce, District Social Worker;  Caroline Wood, Chief of Staff; Mary Farmer, Director of Technology; and Derrick Thomas, Principal of Renfroe Middle School.