A Look to the Future

A Look to the Future: A Strategic Plan to Guide Westview

The Westview School Board of Directors has a clear vision for our school. It is for us to be “the best little school on the planet.” The men and women who serve on our board have a long history with The Westview School, and autism is something near and dear to their hearts. Our trustees have a passion for our school’s mission and supporting us in serving our students.

In the Spring of 2021, The Westview School began the process of strategic planning for the school. The goal of a strategic plan is to identify priorities that will guide our work for the next three years.

THE SURVEY SAYS...

In April of 2021, surveys were sent to all families, staff, and our upper elementary and middle school students. We had excellent participation and engagement, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to share their hopes and dreams for The Westview School. Using surveys and focus groups, we were able to identify the key priorities among the various groups within our community.

The priorities identified by each group were closely aligned and helped us identify the most important things for our community. For example, when asked, “What three areas should The Westview School strive to develop to achieve its goal of being the premier school for children with ASD in the region?”

FAMILIES IDENTIFIED: (69 RESPONSES)

Strengthen the program for teachingsocial skills - 53.73%

Partner with local organizations -49.25%

Strengthen quality ofteaching practice – 29.85%

Increase financial aid – 29.85%

STAFF IDENTIFIED: (41 RESPONSES)

Strengthen the program for teachingsocial skills – 60.98%

Partner with local organizations(colleges, business, nonprofits) –43.90%

Strengthen the quality of teachingpractice – 39.02%

Individuals who completed the surveys were offered an opportunity to provide additional insights by participating in focus groups facilitated by the consultant. There were nine focus groups: 5 with families, 3 with staff, and 1 with the Board of Directors. These semi-structured conversations helped increase our understanding of the quantitative data provided in surveys. As with the surveys, the focus group conversations included some common themes.

FAMILY PRIORITIES INCLUDE:

Enrich programs

Improve facilities

Develop a high school

STAFF PRIORITIES INCLUDE:

Improve compensation and benefits

Improve professional development (especially for technology)

Improve facilities

Develop a high school

BOARD PRIORITIES INCLUDE:

Board development and succession planning

Improve facilities

Improve transition to high school and/or develop a high school

With a wealth of quantitative and qualitative data available, a core working group, consisting of all 6 Board members, Dr. Bevan Koch, Dr. Carol Harrison, Dr. Laura Casper-Teague, and Mrs. Amanda Warley, met with the consultants throughout August and September to develop a plan that addressed the key priorities identified throughout the process. For the next three years, we will increase our investment in Our People, Our Campus, and Our Students’ Futures.

What Happens Next?

Here are just a few of the things that are underway:

OUR PEOPLE:

We have worked hard to secure outside funding to hire the Center for Responsive Schools to be on campus in February to train our staff in the Responsive Classroom. Our middle school teachers will be taking Intro to Blended Learning from the University of Texas.

OUR CAMPUS:

This spring, we will identify a consultant to complete a feasibility study on the horizontal and vertical expansion of The Westview School. Plans for facilities improvements will be developed upon completion of the feasibility study.

OUR STUDENTS’ FUTURES:

We secured funding from an EANS grant to purchase Fly Five, an aligned Social and Emotional Learning program designed by the Center for Responsive Schools.