Manassas Development News

Manassas School Board Develops New Strategic Plan with Community Input

The School Board of the City of Manassas is in the process of developing a new strategic plan, which is scheduled to launch in July 2027 and cover fiscal years 2028 through 2032. The development process involves a strategic plan steering committee, stakeholder focus groups (including principals, central office staff, teachers, and support staff), and input from school board members. Key themes emerging include support for maintaining the current structural concepts and pillars, the need for a revised name for the 'culture of caring' pillar to encompass climate and environment and be more inclusive of staff, the establishment of a common framework and language, the critical importance of consistency and alignment, the need for clearer objectives and metrics, and the necessity for more accessible, jargon-free language in the plan. The current plan's vision and mission statements are considered too wordy and redundant, with a desire to broaden the vision to encompass all students, not just graduates. The new plan will include revised vision and mission statements, identified core values, goals, key components (pillars), strategies, and performance indicators/metrics. An interactive website is planned to make the plan more transparent and accessible, featuring videos, stories, and dashboards to highlight efforts and show progress. Community engagement will occur through surveys, focus groups, and a public hearing, with efforts to ensure equitable participation through translated materials and translators for in-person events.