On Monday, October 28, 2024, the USD 418 Board of Education convened a work session at McPherson Middle School to focus on developing the district's strategic plan. This session included members of the Board and district leadership, who met to discuss ways to build on the successes of the current strategic plan, Vision 2025, while addressing the future needs of students, staff, and the McPherson community.
As USD 418 moves into the final year of Vision 2025, the planning team is assessing progress in six key focus areas: Academic Experience, Unified Culture, Facilities and Infrastructure, Engagement and Activities, Faculty and Staff, and Community Partnerships. The Board intends to reflect the values and goals of McPherson by seeking feedback from a wide cross-section of the community. To gather input, the district will distribute a survey to families and staff, encouraging them to contribute to the development of a "Portrait of a Graduate." Additionally, community focus groups will be organized to provide further insights into each area.
Preparing students for a rapidly evolving workforce is essential. Dr. Britton Hart from the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) underscored this urgency by sharing a Journal of Economics study revealing that about 60% of jobs in 2018 did not exist in 1940. Experts project that this rate of change will accelerate in the coming decades, driven by advancements in technology. In this shifting landscape, the ability to continuously learn and adapt will be more critical than specific knowledge. Guided by these insights, the Board examined and discussed potential adjustments to USD 418’s mission, vision, and outcomes to ensure our graduates are equipped to thrive in the future.
Participants in the work session also collaborated to define the skills and attributes that best describe a successful McPherson graduate, focusing on qualities such as resilience, compassion, a growth mindset, and critical thinking.
The Board will continue development of the district’s strategic plan over the course of the Fall and early spring, with a goal to finalize the new plan in April 2025.