News release
May 20, 2011
For more information:
Mary Waggoner, 425-385-4049
new strategic plan
Mission, vision, core values and plan determined during 20 months of community work
“Inspire, educate and prepare each student to achieve to high standards, contribute to our community
and thrive in a global society.” That is the new mission statement and the opening line of the district’s
new strategic plan.
“Our new mission statement keeps the emphasis on ‘each’ student – a key focus of the previous
plan,” said Superintendent Gary Cohn. “The new mission also calls out our efforts to support each
student’s becoming successful, responsible citizens of the future. We heard clearly during months of
community meetings that preparing students well today for a world that will be very different tomorrow
is an expectation parents and businesses have of our schools.”
That community expectation is echoed in the new vision statement, “Our students will lead and shape
the future.” The statement explains what that leadership means. “They will be well-rounded, healthy,
and flexible thinkers with a global perspective who can access resources and collaborate. They will
demonstrate empathy, pride and advocacy for self, school and community while respecting the
diversity and worth of others. They will acquire the knowledge, attitudes and skills to adapt to the
emerging needs of a changing world.”
Indicating that the district’s core values will drive its actions and behavior, the plan details those core
values:
Learning
We believe each student has the ability to learn and achieve to high
standards.
Equity
We honor and support each student’s right to learn and achieve.
Integrity
We act in good faith, serving others with honesty and dignity. We
serve as stewards of the public trust.
Passion
We are passionate about teaching and learning.
Respect
We value differences among people and treat one another with
respect.
Diversity
We embrace diversity as an essential asset; we are inclusive and
treat our differences as a core strength.
Collaboration
We believe in learning and working together, the value of diverse
views and the power of collective wisdom.
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Everett Public Schools new strategic plan
Page 2
The plan encompasses five strategic priorities:
1. Teaching and learning
2. Inspiration, innovation and information
3. People, structure and systems
4. Resource management
5. Strategic relationships
“Our task now is to establish work plans to achieve strategic goals and targets,” explained Cohn.
“This will be the work of the next few months. This plan will guide district decisions and help ensure
we meet the community’s expectations of our work on behalf of each student.”
Cohn thanked all who spent time on this project, “… resulting in such a quality document that will be
the heart of what we do every day in our schools.”
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