Valley Heights District Newsletter

• Review Strategic Planning Process- 9-9 Meal starts at 5:15pm (meeting at 5:30pm at VHHS), Facilities tour 9-23 @ 6pm (Tour will start at BR) Strategic Planning Mtg. #2 9-30 Meal starts at 5:15pm (meeting at 5:30pm at VHHS).

• Why is the District starting the Strategic Planning Process? What is the purpose?

1. Setting Direction and Vision: A strategic plan helps define the district’s long term vision and mission helping us align our district’s values and goals.

2. Prioritizing Resources: The strategic plan will help us prioritize the allocation of resources, including budget, personnel, and time.

3. Improving Student Outcomes: The primary focus is to improve student learning and outcomes. (Setting measurable goals, identifying quantifiable outcomes)

4. Enhance Accountability: Helps the district measure progress.

5. Engaging Stakeholders: Involves input from stakeholders, including teachers, parents, students, and community members. Helps foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the district’s goals.

6. Guided Decision Making: Serves as a reference point for decision-making at all levels of the district. It will help ensure decisions are aligned with the district’s long term goals and any new initiatives will need to be data driven.

7. Driving Continuous Improvement: Promotes a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing progress, adjusting strategies as needed.

8. Communicating Vision and Progress: Provides a clear communication tool for sharing the district’s vision, goals and progress with the broader community, building transparency and trust.

Monday’s Strategic Planning Meeting Monday September 9th at 5:15pm-

Monday's schedule-

• Meal will start at 5:15pm

• Official start time of the meeting will be 5:30pm

• There will be 7 tables set up for us to work through this process. Each board member will be at a different table.

• Community and staff will also be divided up at each table.

Overview of the meeting-

1. State of the District- Sean Spoonts (Highlight what the district is doing well.)

2. Review District Data- Survey Results will be discussed

3. SWOT Analysis-

1. Strengths- What do we do better than anyone else? Brainstorm Strengths. What do we do well? What resources or capabilities give us an edge?

2. Weaknesses- Where do we struggle? What areas need improvement? Identify Weaknesses. Take a hard look in the mirror. Where do we struggle?

3. Opportunities- What external factors could help us grow?

4. Threats- What external factors could harm our district? What external factors could derail our plans?

4. Identify Theme Areas-

September 23rd at 6pm. Tour starts at Blue Rapids Grade School. Your invited to our Facilities Tour. In order to plan accurately, we would like to get an approximate head count on who will be attending the Facilities Tour. Please scan the QR code below in order to RSVP. We hope to see you then!

• USD 498 is working with Anderson Knight Architects and BHS on areas of focus/improvement in regards to capital outlay. (Long term planning)

Areas of Need

• Preschool- ADA Parking, Siding Repairs

• Blue Rapids Elementary- ADA Access, Fire Alarm, Masonry Repairs, Metal Wall Panel Repairs, Roofing, HVAC Updates, Drainage and Piping, Lighting Upgrades, Sidewalks, Doors-weatherstripping and sweep replacement, flooring, band room millwork, Central Clock System

• Blue Rapids Elementary Gym- Life Safety Storm Shelter Signage, ADA Access and Parking, Exterior Masonry, STUCCO, and Paint, Wood Window Replacement, Roofing, HVAC Upgrades, Plumbing Upgrades, Lighting Upgrades, Toilet Partition Replacement, Stage Curtains, Ceiling, Flooring, Security Camera Upgrades

• Waterville Elementary- ADA Access, Life Safety Issues, Roofing, Masonry Joint Repairs, HVAC Upgrades, Drain and Vent Piping, Electrical and Exterior Lighting Upgrades, Sidewalks and Concrete Stairs, Stage Curtain Replacement, Clock/Bell System Upgrades, Door and Hardware Repairs, Storage Shed Location

• Valley Heights High School- gym surface, ADA Access- (Bleachers), Fire Alarm Upgrades, Plumbing Upgrades, HVAC Upgrades, Electrical and Lighting Upgrades, Roofing, Exterior and Interior Door Repairs, Sidewalks, Clock/PA System Upgrades, Track resurfacing, parking lot (asphalt) repairs.

• VoAg-ADA Access, Life Safety Issues, Site Grading, Roof to Wall Transition, Restroom Partitions, HVAC Upgrades, Electrical and Lighting Upgrades.

• KASB will lead 3 meetings: 2 with community and school and 1 with the board through the Strategic Planning process. Key areas of focus: students, educational program, physical plant, personnel, culture/communication. The community meetings will also focus on future changes, strengths and challenges.

Dates for Strategic Planning

• August 1st- Community Focus Groups-Send out invites to take part in the community discussion about long-range planning for USD 498

• August 19th-September 2nd- Send out all stakeholder survey

• September 9th 5:30-8:30pm Community/Board

• Provide Dinner/Refreshments starting at 5:15pm

• Community Input-include building admin, teachers, and support staff from each building (VHE), Board of Education, and other stakeholders

• Provide State of the District-Superintendent

• Review District Data (Survey and Successful Graduate Input)

• SWOT Analysis

• Identify Theme Areas

• Sept. 23rd Facilities Tour @ 6pm - (Special Meeting) Board and Community invited. Tour will start at Blue Rapids @ 6pm. Each tour will take 30 minutes. Focus will be on future improvements and recent upgrades.

• September 30th- 5:30-8pm Community/Board

• Provide Dinner/Refreshments starting at 5:15pm

• Review vision and data

• Reflect on Theme Areas

• Review and Discuss Actions= “WHAT” and “WHY”

• Develop Strategies for Action and Success

• October 28th- 6-7:15pm Board Only

• Review Goal Focus Areas

• Reflect on Community Input

• Finalize Action Steps

• Next Steps Board of Education

We established three primary areas of focus: Passion, Purpose, and Connections.

In our efforts to strengthen community and business connections, we have:
- Conducted in-service visits to local businesses as a gesture of appreciation.
- Toured Titan Manufacturing and the Weaver Hotel last year, and plan to tour GP and the Blue Rapids Museum on November 18th.

To enhance our connections further, we:
- Engaged with the Rotary Club monthly, rotating between our buildings.
- Increased communication through district and building-level newsletters.

In our schools, driven by purpose and passion, we achieved:

- Receiving the National Blue Ribbon Award and ESEA Distinguished Award for the second time, with the support of Rotary for the Waterville sign and Blue Rapids Community Action for the Blue Rapids Sign.
- Applied for Kansas Star Recognition in Social Emotional, Civic Engagement, and Kindergarten Readiness areas.

USD 498 State assessment results were outstanding across most categories, reflecting the hard work of our staff, parents, and students. Great job to everyone involved!

Our district will focus more deeply on data and instructional strategies as part of our KESA (Kansas Education Systems Accreditation) efforts.

Regarding facilities, we are working with Anderson Knight Architects on long-term planning and capital improvements, addressing critical areas like roofs, track, HVAC, and lighting.

Our district is focusing on capital improvements and establishing a long-term capital outlay plan, particularly regarding deferred maintenance. Immediate needs were prioritized, with roofing and lighting at the forefront of the initiatives.

Our district has applied for the SVPP Grant for school safety, which, if awarded, will provide $392K in funding, matched by $98k from the district. This will enhance our security systems, including cameras, intercoms, signage, outdoor security, the E3 app, and key fobs for all entrances and teacher doors.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our district's success.

Sincerely

Sean Spoonts Superintendent

Email: sspoonts@valleyheights.org
Website: https://www.valleyheights.org
Location: 2274 6th Road, Blue Rapids, KS, USA
Phone: 785-363-2398
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vhusd498/
Twitter: @usd498