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Every Panther, Every Day – Connected | Challenged | Celebrated

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Strategic Plan

New Strategic Plan

 WASHINGTON 

 TOWNSHIP 

 SCHOOLS

 Strategic Plan 2025-2030
  
 

Washington Township Schools logo featuring a stylized 'W' and the words 'We Grow' and 'Panthers'.

A group of children listen attentively to a story being read in a library.

An orchestra performs, with a harp prominently featured in the foreground.

A young girl smiles and makes a peace sign while holding a red bead strand.

 

   

A Message from the Superintendent

 

 

Dear Members of the Washington Township Schools Community,

It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I present our new 5-Year Strategic Plan, a visioning document that charts the future of our dynamic metropolitan school district. Grounded in our unwavering commitment to student success, this plan reflects the voices, hopes, and aspirations of the people who make our schools exceptional — our students, families, educators, staff, and community.

At the heart of this work is our Mission: to nurture our students into tomorrow’s leaders by cultivating learning environments that ignite innovation, amplify diverse and critical thinking, and inspire growth and achievement. Our vision is bold and clear — Every Panther, Every Day – Connected, Challenged, and Celebrated! These guiding ideas are more than just words; they define our purpose and our path forward. 

 A man in a gray suit and red tie smiles at the camera.

This plan is the result of an extraordinary and inclusive engagement process. Over the past year, more than 5,000 survey responses were collected from stakeholders including students, staff, and parents or caregivers, 10 focus groups composed of various stakeholders were convened, and more than 80 school-based meetings with staff in various roles were held during site visits. In addition, we hosted three community listening tours to ensure we captured the breadth and depth of our community’s assessment and vision for our schools.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our Strategic Plan Steering Committee, a dedicated group of educators, leaders, parents, and community members who gave up multiple days to help shape the architecture of this plan. Their insight, passion, and commitment to excellence were invaluable. Thank you for taking a “Dream Big, but Focus Small” approach for our students and staff.

As we launch this plan, we embark on a journey rooted in purpose, unity, and high expectations. With strategic goals that support every learner, empower our staff, and strengthen community connections, we are positioned to reach new heights over the next five years. Together, We Grow Panthers — from Pre-K to graduation — by delivering exceptional learning experiences cultivating the leaders of tomorrow.

In partnership,

Dr. Sean Taylor
Superintendent of Schools
MSD of Washington Township

 

MISSION

Our mission is to nurture our students into tomorrow’s leaders by cultivating learning environments that ignite innovation, amplify diverse and critical thinking, and inspire growth and achievement.

 

VISION

Every Panther, Every Day - Connected, Challenged, and Celebrated

 

PANTHERS ARE

Compassionate:
Possess a big heart, value empathy, and create a supportive, respectful environment for all.

Well-Rounded:
Demonstrate strong leadership, versatile skills, and global awareness, prepared to thrive anywhere.

Critical Thinkers:
Approach problems creatively and make thoughtful decisions in and beyond the classroom.

Collaborative:
Value teamwork, respect diverse perspectives, and build strong relationships.

Lifelong Learners:
Embrace curiosity, adapt to change, and continuously seek growth.

We Grow Panthers!

A young girl smiles with her arms raised in the air, looking joyful.

A group of smiling children hold up signs that say 'Panther Cubs'.

  • A visual timeline titled 'Our Process' outlines steps from November 2024 to Fall 2025.
    Infographic showing data points related to community engagement, with numbers and descriptions. Attendees raise their hands in a large conference room setting.

     

  • A large group of students sit in bleachers, watching an event. A graphic lists four pillars: Rigorous Learning, Community, Communication, and Organizational Growth.

     

  • We will elevate academic excellence by providing engaging, challenging, and equitable learning experiences that meet each student’s unique academic and social-emotional needs, ensuring all learners grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.


    We will…

    A red paw print is displayed against a white background.Implement a guaranteed and viable blueprint for learning that enhances rigor and engagement across academic disciplines.

     

    A red paw print is displayed against a white background.Provide equitable access to opportunities and resources through our multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), while elevating students as active partners in the process.

     

    A red paw print is displayed against a white background.Create a cohesive, data-driven student support system that aligns our student services with district-wide priorities, enhances cross-functional collaboration, and maximizes community partnerships.

     

    A red paw print is displayed against a white background.Expand access to Pre-K, Dual Language Immersion (DLI), Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Dual Credit programming.


    A group of diverse young people smile for a photo in front of a historic building.

     

     

  • We will foster a connected and inclusive school community where students, staff, and families feel valued, respected, and supported.

    A teacher and a young boy walk hand-in-hand down a school hallway.    		  


    We will…

    A red paw print on a white background.Create a Panther Guide for each grade level that outlines expectations and opportunities for all stakeholders.

    A red paw print on a white background.Develop effective and standardized student and family orientation opportunities.

    A red paw print on a white background.Prioritize community engagement opportunities that are accessible and that allow all stakeholders to engage in the mission and vision of our school district.

     

    ​​​​​​Middle School students in hair nets work on a project  

    Large group of happy students and teachers raise their arms joyfully

  • We will ensure transparent, timely, purposeful, and accessible streamlined communication that keeps families, staff, and the broader community informed, engaged, and aligned with the district’s mission. 

    Two smiling women stand behind a wooden counter, possibly at a welcome desk.    		  


    We will…

    A red paw print on a white background.Develop a communications plan governing internal and external communications for stakeholder groups ensuring accessibility, clear cadence, important information, and archiving

    A red paw print on a white background.Communicate with secondary students through school district applications so that students receive important information.

    A red paw print on a white background.Incorporate positive stories into regular messaging so that students, families, and the community are aware.

     

    ​​​​​​Man, woman and student hold a sign standing under a tent at the Great North Run event   High School students are looking under the hood of a car in an automotive class at the Career Center

  • We will invest in growth, enhance retention, align priorities, and streamline systems to cultivate engagement and leadership among students, staff, and families

    Two women smile while working at a table in a classroom setting.


    We will…

    A red paw print on a white background.Develop and implement a portal to streamline information useful to employee success.

    A red paw print on a white background.Implement systematic and responsive professional learning to improve instructional leadership. 

    A red paw print on a white background.Expand and align recognition of staff and students.

    A red paw print on a white background.Cultivate a deliberate approach to promote a student-to-staff pipeline.

     

  • Our Goals
    to target by 2030

     

    Attendance
    Attendance rate improves from 94.3% to 97%


    Community and Connection
    Stakeholder satisfaction surveys demonstrate improved experiences in our schools


    Discipline
    Percentage of students who commit fewer than two discipline offenses annually improves from 81.2% to 95%


    Employee Retention
    Effective and Highly Effective Teacher retention rate increases from 88.8% to 95%


    Enrollment
    Enrollment of students living in Washington Township who choose our schools increases from 82% to 90%


    Graduation Rate
    Graduation rate improves from 90.4% to 95%


    Honors Seal
    Every North Central senior earns an Honors Seal on their high school diploma


    ILEARN
    Combined English Language Arts (ELA) and Math ILEARN proficiency improves from 26% to 70%


    IREAD-3
    IREAD-3 proficiency improves from 83.9% to 95%


    A list of schools is displayed on a red background.

    Male teacher explaining concept to student at desk

    		  

    High School student gives thumbs up in a North Central hallway
         

     

  • A Special Thank You

    to our project steering team

     

    • Erica Beard, Parent/Elementary Principal
    • Tim Blom, Director of Teaching and Learning, Grades K-5
    • Josh Bolles, Parent/ Assistant Director of Operations
    • Jess Bowyer, Parent/ Parent Council Network Representative
    • Angela Britain-Smith, Director of Operations
    • Anthony Dean, Washington Township Education Association President/Elementary Teacher
    • Crystal Haslett, Coordinator of Student Support Services
    • Emily Kaiser, Parent/Washington Township Schools Foundation Executive Director
    • Dr. Matt Kaiser, Parent/Assistant Superintendent of Operational Services
    • Mike Kneebone, Director of Technology
    • Tracey Horth Krueger, School Board Liaison
    • Elizabeth Perez, Parent/School Office Personnel
    • Dr. Nataki Pettigrew, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services
    • Jagga Rent, Parent/High School Principal
    • Ellen Rogers, Communications Manager
    • Dr. Rachel Sever, Director of Teaching and Learning, Grades 9-12
    • Dr. Wendy Skibinski, Director of Student Services
    • Becky Smith, Chief Financial Officer
    • Dr. Sean Taylor, Superintendent
    • Dr. Crystal Thorpe, Director of Teaching and Learning, Grades 6-8

       

    A group of graduates in red and black gowns and caps pose for a photo.

     

  • Watch the DSP Webinar Here

    Strategic Plan PDF Download

For more information, visit

https://www.msdwt.k12.in.us