Tacoma School Board directors and staff met June 10 to fine-tune the district’s strategic plan.

Following several community input sessions throughout May, district staff presented the most common themes and concerns from parents, business leaders, students, teachers and community members.

The district has not had a strategic plan in more than 20 years. This work meeting was a precursor to another work meeting June 17 where the board should put a final stamp of approval on an “easy reader” outline version of the plan for the public, which would be backed by a denser outline of the work plan for interested public who wish to dig a little deeper.

Board and staff examined data, the strategic framework, reviewed the plan format and outlined what needed to happen at the next meeting.

“I’m hoping on the 17th you guys will make some decisions on what you want to see (in the plan itself),” Deputy Superintendent Carla Santorno said.

The board agreed to prepare a brief, catchy, concise pamphlet-like version of the strategic plan as a way to open communication between the district and the general public, and hold the district accountable.

It will clearly outline the district’s vision, mission, core values, goals and strategies, which are yet to be established.

A partner document will be a denser, more detailed summary of the district’s actual work plan to back the strategies and outcomes.

“How do we share with the public that this is not just another piece of paper?” Board Member Kurt Miller asked. “The difference now from what had not been done before is that meat.”

Easily accessible checkpoints and work updates will be available to anyone via a format such as the Internet, where the public can continually see how the district is making progress on its to be identified goals.

The board has yet to finalize the content that drives the plan, but discussion centered on achievement, graduation, safety, rigor, accountability, cultural sensitivity, community outreach and teacher competency at the June 10 meeting.

A second study session will be held at 5 p.m. June 17 in the fourth floor boardroom at Central Administration Building, 601 S. 8th St. Superintendent evaluation will also be discussed at this meeting.