In January 2012, the Greendale Schools hosted a community conversation. Gary Marx, an educator and futurist, presented sixteen trends that will impact our future. This presentation was intended to build a common awareness of our emerging future. With over 200 community members in attendance, the following day, the community participated in a discussion narrowing the preferred future of the community. Three themes emerged for their preferred vision of the future, which included access to technology to transform learning, personalization of learning, and the development of employable or soft skills within the curriculum.

A smaller strategic planning team comprised of approximately 50 community members, administrators, and staff was formed. Rob Henken and Annaliese Dickman of the Public Policy Forum led the process towards affirming the Mission of the Greendale Schools and setting goals throughout February and March. The goals were developed as an extension of the preferred future defined by the community during the community conversation in January and the previous strategic plan with the intent of growing from where we are. The transformation of some goals and the addition of other goals reflected the three themes that emerged from the community conversation. Consensus around the goals was reached in March.

On October 22, 2012 the Strategic Plan was approved by the Greendale Board of Education.

If you have questions regarding the Greendale School District’s strategic plan, please contact Superintendent John Tharp at john.tharp@greendale.k12.wi.us or at (414) 423-2700.