It is exciting when you look at the gains that Pasadena ISD has made in the last years. In 2008-09, over half of our campuses were rated either exemplary or recognized and all but one that was acceptable. (The one unacceptable rating is being appealed at this time.) But Pasadena ISD is not a district that will settle for anything less than the best for our students. We are meeting and exceeding goals, but we realize the need for long-term planning that guides all decisions so that we will continue on the right road.

The last time that Pasadena ISD engaged in a thorough strategic planning process was in 1989. Each year the plan has been tweaked but there is a time when an entire plan must be revisited. Cambridge Strategic Services is working with the district to create a strategic plan that will take us into the future with a shared mission that can be accomplished. The new strategic plan will help ensure that all of our energies and resources are being dedicated the right areas to achieve these goals

The first step of the process was taken last week when a team 30 members--representative of the district--community members, students, teachers, administrators, etc.--met and developed a draft of beliefs, mission statement, strategic objectives, and strategies.  (Click here to see the draft document.)

Now it is in the hands of action teams which will consist of approximately 25-30 people each. There will be an action team for each of the seven strategies to develop action plans. These teams will have four to five months to develop a set of draft action plans each of which will include a cost-benefit analysis. The size of these teams will allow greater participation and input.

The strategic planning team will then reconvene to assess the plans developed by the action teams, with their assignment to be to review each plan and give each one of the following labels: accept, reject, accept with stipulation, or return for more work.

When the action plans are complete, the strategic planning team will have a final draft. This final draft will be presented to the Superintendent who will make the final recommendations regarding timing and resource allocation. This strategic plan will be implemented over a five-year period with annual updates.

The Board of Trustees must give final approval of the strategic plan before it is implemented in the district. Upon approval, implementation of the plan will begin.  The entire planning and development process will take approximately 18 months.

We welcome your feedback and input .  The more varied input we receive, the better the strategic plan will be for our students. If you have questions or would like to be involved in the strategic planning process for the district, please contact Darla Massey at 713-740-0151 or  dmassey-jones@pasadenaisd.org . In addition, a form will be posted on this site within the next few days for anyone interested--employees, parents, community members, and students--to sign up to be a part of an action team. Your input is important!