Dear ACSD Community,

Beginning this winter, we will create a new Strategic Plan for Equity to prioritize the success of every student. Strategic plans help set priorities and direction for our school district's future.

The email below will share details about:

• The background of this work including the Advisory Committee on Equity convened last year and the ACSD Board's 3 GOALS to guide the strategic plan.
• An invitation from the ACSD Board to join a Community Conversations next week (Dec 6th or 7th) about the work so far and the work ahead.
• An invitation to join the Action Team, a group of ACSD students, staff, administrators, and community members who will build the strategic plan to achieve the Board's goals. We invite all who are interested to apply!

• In December 2021, ACSD formed an Advisory Committee for Equity composed of diverse community stakeholders to serve as advisors and begin the work necessary to center Equity issues in our strategic plan.
• They met from December 2021 - June 2022 to gather and analyze data about inequities in our academic and social emotional environment, staff and community experiences, and engagement.
• They also created an open-ended survey and held group and one-on-one conversations.
• The committee created a final report and recommendations which was presented to the ACSD School Board in September 2022 .
• You can learn more about the Advisory Committee HERE.
• In Spring 2022, ACSD also held an online community diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) survey and conducted an analysis of annual student data points collected by the district.

• Beginning at their September 2022 Board retreat, the ACSD Board built on the work of the Advisory Committee. The Board developed core values and beliefs, refined its definition of "equity," revisited its mission and vision statements, created theory of action statements, and identified 3 GOALS (see below) to guide the strategic plan. The Board's full work can be viewed HERE.

• You can read more detail about this timeline including links to relevant meetings HERE.

• ACSD’s learning environment will inspire a passion for learning and value diverse identities and abilities, while preparing our students to make positive contributions to the community and beyond.

• Everyone will feel safe, welcomed, and included in our schools and the district. Students and families will be able to engage with the school system in valuable ways.

• ACSD will allocate resources to address students’ needs across the district in equitable, sustainable, and fiscally responsible ways. ACSD will maintain infrastructure and facilities that support varied learning and successful outcomes for all of our students.

The ACSD Board invites our community to join a conversation about the work done to date and moving forward. Please join us:

• In Person on Tue Dec.6 @5:30pm @MUHS
• Virtual Weds Dec.7 @7:00pm on zoom. Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87576325041

Questions: Mary Heather Noble, ACSD Board member mnoble@acsdvt.org

The ACSD Strategic Planning Action Team will craft the final strategic plan. They will develop the objectives, strategies, tasks, and timelines needed to advance the ACSD Board's three strategic plan goals.

Who should apply?

• Any Student, Parent/Caregiver, Staff and Community member who is interested in this work is encouraged to apply!

• The Action Team will be comprised of students, parent/caregivers, community members, and ACSD staff and Administrators.

• Ideal committee members will be able to: Understand issues facing young people and have an interest in improving ACSD's ability to support student social emotional well-being; Appreciate the work of our school system to support and engage many types of students and families with diverse needs; Appreciate working on a strategy to advance a goal before specifically naming programs or action steps; Have personal experience or professional expertise in one of the 3 Goal areas identified by the board (above); Be committed to working on behalf of all students; Be committed to equitable outcomes for our students and equitable use of district resources.

• We encourage you to read the district’s equity definition and policy for additional context.

• The Action Team will meet (on average) twice a month for 90 minutes each between January and April 2023. Additional meetings may be scheduled.

• Participants will be compensated $500 to support their time, missed work, child care, and accessibility needs.

Deadline and questions:

All expressions of interest are due by Friday, December 16th, 2022. You may also use the form to nominate someone (with their permission). Applicants will be notified by Dec 22.

Questions: Emily Blistein, ACSD Communications Director 802-382-1183 eblistein@acsdvt.org or reply to this email.

• Attend the ACSD Board's Community Conversations (invitation above) on
• Tues Dec 6th (5:30pm at MUHS) and
• Weds Dec 7th (7:00pm, virtually on zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87576325041)
• The Action Team will invite the public to attend at least one public conversation and create an ongoing online avenue for feedback. They may also convene public panels on issues as determined.
• Once formed, there will be a designated Action Team and/or ACSD staff member to contact at any time for one-on-one conversations.
• Additional updates and opportunities to engage will be sent via email to the entire ACSD community and posted on the Strategic Plan website. https://www.acsdvt.org/domain/60