FOCUS for the FUTURE

The Board of Trustees has developed and reviewed a set of fundamental principles which describe the District's beliefs, values and expectations for student success. The Focus for the Future is a dynamic vision of how the District will move forward over the next few years. Our guiding philosophy is that all students will be prepared and successful learners, aware of career and vocational choices and ready to assume responsible citizenship. The District will support parents in taking an active role in their child’s educational development.

It is the goal of the Board of Trustees of the Thermalito Union School District that district students receive a high quality education with instruction that results in measurable improvement in academic achievement/performance.

BOLD STEPS TO BE INITIATED

DURING THE 2007-08 SCHOOL YEAR:

Instructional:

1. Assure on-going and meaningful supervision and support of
of instruction based upon the standards for the teaching professional.

2. Expand the use of assessment results for planning, intervention and instructional delivery.

3. Share expectations and performance results with parents in a uniform, meaningful manner.

4. Conduct a review of the district’s grading policy and develop recommendations for staff/Board review.

5. Provide all staff, including classified and confidential, with articulated professional growth opportunities which support instruction, curriculum and technical skills and ultimately student performance. Encourage administrators and managers to promote this endeavor.

6. Adopt and implement a district-wide writing curriculum and provide an opportunity for Board review.

7. Use technology as an enhancement to instruction and provide hardware/software linked to curriculum and increased student performance.

8. Develop target goals for student achievement by 2008 including a year-to-year targets for performance by site and sub-group.

Facilities:

1. Initiate steps to consider the viability of reorganizing to a
K-12 district.

2. Adopt a facilities master plan for TUSD by April, 2008.

3. Continue to pursue a community-based pre-school child center.

4. Deliver the Heritage CDS and Pioneer CDS facility projects on time and on budget.

Community: 1. Initiate public awareness about the impact of reorganizing to a
K-12 district.

2. Promote "home to school" programs which support strong linkage between parents and staff and broader parent participation in school programs.

Personnel:

1. Acknowledge employees for good performance, longevity of
service and dedication to professional development. Develop an administrative and management mentoring program for teachers and classified staff who aspire to administrative/supervisory positions and provide mentoring opportunities for all staff.

Long Term
Planning: 1. Work closely and collaboratively with BCOE and other
districts in the consideration of the TUSD being a K-12 entity.

2. Review the appropriateness and efficiency of our warehouse, transportation and maintenance departments.

3. In order to maximize our investment in student achievement we will continue to ensure the long term financial stability and on-going fiscal soundness of the District.

Board Adoption: 12/13/07