Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 - Noting that Akron Public Schools (APS) recognizes the importance of long-term, strategic planning to ensure the delivery of high-quality education to its scholars, Superintendent Dr. Michael Robinson delivered the district’s strategic plan, Blueprint for Excellence, Monday morning to an audience of community stakeholders.

Over the past three months, the district has been actively engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning process to chart its future course. Robinson, through a live-streamed and in-person message, told his audience, “This overview provides a snapshot of the strategic planning journey that APS has undertaken."

Akron historian and President of the Akron History Museum, Dave Lieberth, spoke briefly about Akron’s important role in the creation of today’s public school administrative structure. The model of a superintendent and a board, with schools supported by taxpayer dollars, was invented in Akron in the mid-19th century.

The strategic planning process began with a comprehensive assessment of the current situation, involving in-depth analysis of academic performance, community demographics, culture and climate, and district resources. APS identified key strengths, weaknesses and opportunities that needed to be considered in the planning process. This process also connected to feedback provided by multiple sources within the community of Akron.

“Our scholars belong to the entire community. Our work with them today becomes what we will see in our future,” said the superintendent.

APS recognized the significance of engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders to ensure that the Blueprint for Excellence is representative of the community's needs and expectations. “We conducted a series of surveys, public meetings and focus groups and listened to feedback from teachers, parents, scholars, staff, community leaders and other key stakeholders to gather valuable input.

The district has also created a mission and a vision statement to reflect its commitment to delivering a high-quality education and providing a clear direction for the district's future. They also serve to inspire and guide the strategic plan's development.

Key Elements:

Goals. “We now have specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) based on the data collected, stakeholder feedback, and the mission and vision statements,” Robinson said. The goals align with the district's foundational values and educational priorities.

Strategies. This involved the identification of key initiatives and action plans to address each goal effectively. The district designed strategies to be adaptable and flexible to address the evolving needs of the district.

Performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress and success in achieving the strategic goals. Regular data collection and analysis will allow for course corrections and improvements as necessary.

Communication with stakeholders throughout the strategic planning process. There will be regular meetings or opportunities to update the public on our progress with the blueprint.

Continuous evaluation and feedback mechanisms to ensure the strategic plan remains relevant and effective. APS is committed to a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability. Over the past three months, Akron Public Schools has undergone a rigorous strategic planning process that involved stakeholder engagement and input, goal setting and strategy development.

This Blueprint for Excellence – Akron Public Schools Strategic Plan – will guide APS in its quest to provide equitable, high-quality education to its scholars while remaining adaptable to changing circumstances. By implementing this blueprint, APS is committed to achieving its vision for the future and continuing to serve the community.

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