Borough schools to revisit goals

[BrianSullivan]

Freehold Schools Superintendent Elizabeth O'Connell wants to take a fresh look at the district's goals.

O'Connell floated the idea Monday night of reviving the district's strategic planning committee, which last met during the 2003-04 school year.

The committee would be tasked with creating new strategic objectives to guide the district, according to O'Connell. She hopes to assemble a "broad group" that would include administrators, teachers, parents, school board members and community volunteers.


The committee could start meeting in September and potentially have an action plan in place by next spring, O'Connell said. Everything is dependent on whether the district has enough money in next school year's budget to pay for the committee's expenses.

The district would have to pay $6,000 for the New Jersey School Boards Association to work with the committee. Additional expenses like handouts and other materials would likely cost under $1,000, O'Connell said.

The district has convened strategic planning committees twice before. The first, which met in the '90s, led to several changes in the district, including the creation of the Freehold Borough Educational Foundation and the cafeteria addition at Freehold Intermediate School, O'Connell said.

The last committee called for, among other things, improvements in professional development and better communication with students' families, O'Connell said.

Freehold resident Lynn Reich served on the original committee, she said at Monday's meeting. It was a lot of work but the result, she said, was "priceless."

"It's a very exciting process and I applaud you for going ahead with this," she said.

freehold.injersey.com/2010/02/09/freehold-schools-consider-revisiting-goals/

[BrianSullivan]

I thought this was an interesting read with interesting timing considering the election just around the corner. I think it is a good idea for any entity to continually re-assess their goals, regardless of any election.

I do tie this into the election because it is crucial that we see ideas for the betterment of our schools. I hope we see a race. I hope we see candidates who are willing and able to outline their goals and ideas to better the schools. Public dialog will be important in all of these things.

Judging by last years BOE election, I think it is safe to say that residents have concerns. I for one, would love to hear more of what people want to change in our schools to make them better. I know our school staff works hard.

As for me, I am not sitting on my rear end. I have already started expressing concerns to elected officials for the betterment of the schools. I may not have kids in the schools, but I can recognize that quality schools are very vital to any town.

I do hope we hear more from the schools, and more importantly, I hope people pay attention.