Long-range needs assessment enables the school district to analyze assessment data, get feedback from the community about its expectation of students and determine how well students are meeting student learning goals.  The board will conduct ongoing and in-depth needs assessment, soliciting information from business, labor, industry, higher education and community members, regarding their expectations for adequate student preparation.

In conjunction with the in-depth needs assessment of the school district, the board will authorize the appointment of a committee, representing administrators, employees, parents, students and community members, to make recommendations and assist the board in determining the priorities of the school district in addition to the basic skills areas of the education program.

The Board of Education will annually appoint community members to serve on the School Improvement Advisory committee (SIAC).  The SIAC will meet periodically throughout the school year to review student achievement data, attendance rates, data on student behavioral issues, graduation rates, and other local indicators used to evaluate programs and practices of the district.  Following the review of the district data, the advisory committee will make annual recommendations to the Board regarding district goals.  The Board will also annually appoint community members to serve on a Technology Advisory Committee and Vocational Advisory Council to provide ongoing feedback on technology and vocational needs of the district.  These committees will report to the Board, recommendations on future needs and goals identified by the committee.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure the school district community is informed of students' progress on state and locally determined indicators.  The superintendent will report annually to the board about the means used to keep the community informed.

As a result of the board and committee's work, the board will determine major educational needs and rank them in priority order; develop long-range goals and plans to meet the needs; establish and implement short-range and intermediate-range plans to meet the goals and to attain the desired levels of student performance; evaluate progress toward meeting the goals and maintain a record of progress under the plan that includes reports of student performance and results of school improvement projects; and annually report the school district's progress made under the plan to the committee, community and Iowa Department of Education.

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 21; 256.7; 280.12.
                                    281 I.A.C. 12.8(1)(b).

Cross Reference:     101      Educational Philosophy of the School District
                                    200      Legal Status of the Board of Directors
                                    208      Committees of the Board of Directors
                                    603.1   Basic Instruction Program
                                    801.1   Buildings and Sites Long Range Planning
                                    801.2   Buildings and Sites Surveys

Initially Approved  03-08-1999    
Last Reviewed  03-13-2019      
Last Revision    03-10-2014