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Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

District Name: CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD

Purpose: Collaborative Visioning Committee

Issue/Roadblock:
The ​Collaborative Visioning Process 2020-2030 f​or Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District is the result of the work of the Superintendent and approximately sixty-three individuals participating on the priority design team. Work on the plan began in July, 2019 and continued through April, 2020. The planning process was facilitated by Dr. Lizzy Asbury, CEO of TransCend4. Prior to the committee convening, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Board of Trustees participated in a Visioning Workshop and ​SWOT Analysis which identified internal strengths and weaknesses along with external opportunities and threats. The Board also developed the ​Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Core Statements​ including a Motto, Vision, and Mission & Value Statements. A sixty-three member​ ​Priority Design Team​ met in October-December of 2019 and January-February of 2020 to build the Collaborative Vision. Upon introduction of committee participants, norms were set to ensure a productive working environment focused on the best interests of the organization. The committee was divided into five priorities consisting of Optimize Engaging & Diverse Learning, Optimize Facility, Safety & Security, and Infrastructure to be adaptable to student needs, Optimize Community Engagement, Optimize Social & Emotional Health of all students, and Optimize all available Resources. Each team was tasked with focusing on their particular area and developing objectives based on district needs.

Following the introduction of the meeting structure, the Priority Design Team studied the current state of the district through a review of recent data. Data reviewed included campus improvement plans, high school course selection data, digital citizenship data, social and emotional learning training, finance review, district technology update, 2018 TAPR report, multi-hazard plan, Senate Bill 11 overview, facilities study, and demographic study along with survey results. The data findings were summarized through table discussions, table summarization, and committee gallery walk to determine strengths and weaknesses within the district.

The​ Graduate Profile​ was then designed in alignment with the core statements. The Graduate Profile defines the qualities each graduate should demonstrate upon completion of their graduation requirements. The five​ ​priorities selected include ​Optimize Engaging & Diverse Learning, Optimize Facility, Safety & Security, and Infrastructure to be adaptable to student needs, Optimize Community Engagement, Optimize Social & Emotional Health of all students, and Optimize all available Resources.​ These priorities were chosen to be the key areas of focus for the organization based on the SWOT analysis and in alignment with the MMVV and Graduate Profile. Utilizing a strengths-based approach, these priorities were determined to be the drivers that would continue to carry the district towards its intended vision.
In alignment with the priorities, the Priority Design Team set the ​objectives​ to be achieved during the determined timeframe of 2020-2030 and the ​measures utilized to determine the achievement of these objectives. The objectives were designed utilizing a SMART (​specific, ​measurable, ​achievable, ​relevant, ​time bound) goal framework for the purpose of moving the vision from motive to action. The objectives must be approved by the Board in accordance with AE (Legal).

The Priority Design Team’s work was presented on​ ​April 2, 2020 to the members of the Board of Trustees for consideration and ultimate approval. Since the action plans are living documents, they are subject to constant review, updating, correction, and enhancement as the implementation process begins and personnel assignments are made to initiate and complete the tasks. Objectives within the action plans were developed with a constant eye to the Motto, Mission, Vision, and Values to assure alignment with the perceived intentions of the Board and Design Team. The design team will meet periodically throughout the year to monitor the Collaborative Vision.