Strategic Framework

A Framework for Our Future provides a long-term, unified direction for HSSD. It was shaped by input from multiple stakeholder groups, most notably through the Stronger Together community conversation.

The strategic framework ensures clarity, coherence, and alignment between the Board, administration, staff, and the community. It identifies what matters most, aligns people and resources around those priority areas, and defines how we will make measurable progress.

As a directional document, the strategic framework informs more specific plans, such as Department Action Plans and School Action Plans. These are grounded in continuous improvement methodologies. The Ends and Board Monitoring Calendar will serve as key structures to assess and ensure progress over time.

In 2024, Mark Smith started his first year as superintendent of HSSD. His 100-day plan included three stages: listening, learning, and leading. During the listening and learning phases, he met with Board members, administrators, staff, parent groups, students, and a variety of community stakeholders. During these conversations, it became clear that it was time to begin the strategic framework journey.

A pivotal moment came in December 2024 during the Stronger Together event, where 132 dedicated stakeholders gathered for three days. Together, they passionately shared their aspirations for the future classes of Bay Port graduates, sharing impactful feedback about what success should look like for our students.

After Stronger Together, the work began. District leaders considered the feedback from Superintendent Smith's listening sessions and Stronger Together in order to develop the vision, mission, collective commitments, and priority areas. All the while, the team collected feedback via surveys and in-person conversations about each component. 

Once the Priority Areas were finalized, 60 staff members volunteered their time to serve on Work Teams for each Priority Area. These teams met 3-4 times over the course of a month and developed the objectives outlined in the strategic framework. 

District- and school-level administrators have developed strategies and action steps that fall within each objective in order to operationalize the strategic framework. 

Today, A Framework for Our Future stands as a testament to our community's commitment to excellence, collaboration, and student success. It reflects not only our aspirations but also our collective determination to empower every student to succeed in a changing world.

Click here and/or view below for a designed version of A Framework for Our Future. 

The beauty of the strategic framework is that every staff member can see themselves in it. Clear role definition is critical to ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of this Strategic Framework.

The Board of Education

• Is responsible for governance and general oversight of the district’s vision and mission. 
• Maintains its essential “linkage” with the community to ensure that the values of our stakeholders are reflected in the framework. 
• Sets direction through policy, monitors district progress through data-informed Ends reports, and ensures accountability by holding the superintendent responsible for achieving intended outcomes. 
• Simply stated, the Board focuses on governance of the Strategic Framework, not operational management of it. 

Administration

• Is responsible for the implementation and execution of the Strategic Framework. 
• Develops and carries out actions aligned with the established priority areas. 
• Maintains operational systems that support Board policy and demonstrates alignment by reporting progress through the established monitoring process. 
• Is responsible for driving performance and improvement through daily operations, budgeting, and instructional leadership, all within the boundaries of the district’s governance structure.

Work Teams

• Help develop strategies and action steps. 
• Work with administration and staff to align these strategies and action steps. 

Staff

• Work with students and fellow staff members to ensure the success of the Strategic Framework. 

1. Strategic Framework: A long-term, guiding structure that defines the district’s vision, mission, values, priorities, and objectives. It ensures clarity and coherence in decision-making, resource allocation, and progress monitoring across all levels of the organization. The Strategic Framework serves as the foundation for all departmental and school-level action planning.

2. Priority Area: A core area of focus that guides strategic planning and resource alignment. In HSSD, the four priority areas are: Educational Excellence, Student Engagement, Staff Experience, and Operational Excellence and Fiscal Responsibility.

3. Objective: A clear, outcome-oriented statement that describes what the district aims to achieve within each priority area. Objectives provide direction and focus, and are supported by specific strategies and actions.

4. Strategy: A defined, intentional approach for achieving a stated objective. Strategies represent the “how” behind improvement efforts and serve as the basis for implementation, resource allocation, and progress monitoring.

5. Action Plan: A document developed at the department or school level that outlines specific strategies, timelines, responsibilities, and measures of success aligned with the Strategic Framework. Action plans operationalize objectives through continuous improvement practices.

6. Vision: A future-oriented statement that captures the district’s aspirations and defines the ideal learning experience. 

7. Mission: The foundational statement that defines the district’s purpose and the central work of its educators. 

8. Collective Commitments: Agreed-upon behaviors and values that define how staff across the district work together to fulfill the mission and advance the vision.

9. Graduate Profile: A district-defined set of skills that every HSSD student is expected to develop by graduation. These include critical thinker, solutionist, communicator, collaborator, responsible, self-starter, and adaptable. 

10. Authentic Learning Experiences: Relevant, real-world learning opportunities that allow students to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts. These experiences connect classroom learning to life beyond school, often through projects, community involvement, or career exploration.

11. Community Partnerships: Collaborative relationships between the district and local organizations, including businesses, higher education institutions, nonprofits, and civic groups. These extend learning, provide career-connected experiences, and support the Graduate Profile.

12. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Measurable data points that track progress toward specific objectives. KPIs help evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and provide the Board of Education with evidence for Ends monitoring and continuous improvement.

13. Ends Policies: Board-adopted policies that define the desired long-term outcomes for students and the overall performance of the district. These policies form the basis for Board oversight and superintendent accountability.

14. Executive Limitations: Board-established policies that set boundaries within which the superintendent must operate. They ensure compliance with ethical, legal, and fiscal standards, while granting operational flexibility.

15. Governance: The role of the Board of Education in setting policy, defining outcomes (Ends), linking with the community, and monitoring progress. Governance provides direction and accountability, without managing day-to-day operations.

16: Ends: Board defined results. The achievement of these results constitutes organizational success. Ends in this governance model focus on student success.  

17. Monitoring Process: A structured system used by the Board of Education to assess progress toward the Ends Policies. This includes regular reports and data reviews submitted by the superintendent, forming the basis for informed decision-making and accountability.

18. Continuous Improvement: An evidence-based approach to organizational learning and performance. It involves setting goals, measuring progress, analyzing data, and refining strategies to ensure ongoing growth and responsiveness to student and community needs.