The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
District works on strategic plan for growth
District works on strategic plan for growth
The Avon Schools superintendent feels that the district is on the right track when it comes to moving forward.
Avon City Schools Superintendent Mike Laub feels that the district is on the right track when it comes to moving forward with the community.
However, Laub said that steady growth is important to continue in a district.
Avon schools are at a steady growth, he said.
Every three years the district creates a plan which looks at what is needed to be changed in order to promote development. Earlier this year the district concluded their three-year strategic plan and began creating plans for the next three years.
Laub said the plan is still in the works.
“I think we meet the levels of our kids right now, but I don’t think it’s the level we need it to be,” Laub said.
He noted that as a fellow tax payer in Avon, he wants residents to understand that the district is focused on turning out a great product and putting kids in a position to be successful and productive. He added administration wants residents to keep in mind that these are tax dollars funding their plans.
“As we grow, obviously our costs are going to increase,” he said.
“But, we don’t need to increase costs where they don’t need to be increased.”
While the city continues to develop, the enrollment in the schools will follow, he added.
Currently, there are around 4,400 students in the district with some room for at least 600 more, Laub said.
All facilities are in good shape with the help of the district’s Permanent Improvement levy which brings in about $900,000 a year for upkeep of capital assets and technology, he said.
Academically, Laub said he and the district’s administration feel good about where they’ve come in the last 10 years.
The district is in the top three percent in Ohio for achievement based on performance index score, Laub said. Meanwhile, they are in the bottom 11 percent in cost per student, he added.
Achievements are also shown in athletics and clubs.
“Our kids work hard,” Laub said. “But, the most successful thing we see with all students is growing to be good people.”
Many of the student’s achievements are influenced by the district’s educators from preschool through 12th grade, other staff members, coaches and their parents, he added.
It’s easy to sit back and be complacent while things in the district are on a good path, but “if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse,” Laub said.
“We take the approach that we certainly celebrate our successes,” he said. “But, we want to continue to grow and do things be better for kids and families.”
One of the many plans made in the district is infusing more technology into the classrooms. Laub said technology is a part of everything and has expanded from the middle school level to high school.
“Teaching kids those skills to work with each other to solve problems is what it’s all about,” he said.
The administration is looking to provide resources for staff and teachers that can create an opportunity to collaborate students and programs in different subject areas and grade levels, he said.
Adopting more of a vocational education is also a possible development in the future for students. Laub said the district has a great relationship with Lorain County Joint Vocational School, but the administration believes adopting their own vocational education can benefit a larger handful of students and create more experiences in school.
Administrators also are looking into differentiated instruction, which is making sure staff can find more strategies to meet all students at their learning levels.
Other plans being developed are adapting to English Language Learner programs as they see an increase in communities speaking other languages, improving their “robust” safety plan and creating more partnerships in the community.
Laub said that all the plans are aimed at the success of the students.
“I like that we’re not just doing things to say we did them,” he said. “We do things with a purpose. We have a plan, we have a purpose.”
Avon School’s strategic plan is also supported by their culture, he said.
Laub explained that culture is to have a positive engagement from students and staff.
“The learning experience is not just about math, not just about language arts, not just about social studies, it’s about perseverance,” he said. “It’s about falling down so you can learn how to get back up.”
He expressed that he wants students to be challenged, to be safe and happy, but with a positive approach.
“We want our student to be safe, engaged and learn,” Laub said. “We want them to become good people so that they can go on to be successful and productive.”