Background

For the past two years, the Administration has continued implementing the 2023–2025 Strategic Plan while engaging in a comprehensive process to develop the next five-year plan.

Process Overview

The development of the 2026–2031 Strategic Plan followed a structured and inclusive process:

• Summer 2025: The Board of Education approved the solicitation of proposals for Strategic Planning Services in June 2025, followed by the approval of Studer Education as the District’s strategic planning partner in August 2025.
• Fall 2025: Collaboration with Studer Education to establish timeline and engagement
• October–November: Formation of a representative Steering Committee (Board members, staff, parents, community partner, and administrators)
• November–March: Surveys, focus groups, and data collection (including incorporation of the 2025 Equity Audit)
• February 2026: Board update on progress
• Spring 2026: Draft development, stakeholder feedback, and revisions
• May 2026: Finalization and presentation for Board approval

The process included broad learning community engagement, resulting in:

• 385+ initial survey responses and multiple focus groups
• 159 staff responses on the draft plan (April 2026)
• Additional parent/guardian feedback on values and pillars

Key Outcomes of the Plan

The Strategic Plan establishes a unified framework for 2026–2031, including:

• A clear Vision, Mission, and defined Core Values (“WE ARE”)

• Four Pillars: Classroom, Community, Culture, and Care
• Defined Strategic Priorities focused on areas such as student success, staff development, equity, and community engagement

Strengths identified through learning community feedback include:

• Of the 159 staff responses received, 78.2% indicated that the Strategic Plan is either Well-Aligned or Strongly Aligned to the needs of Skokie School District 68.
• Strong focus on the whole child (academic, social-emotional, and wellness)
• Clear commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices
• Emphasis on staff voice, morale, and professional growth
• A coherent and understandable structure for implementation

Areas for continued focus include:

• Clarity of implementation (actions, timelines, metrics)
• Consistency across schools
• Communication and transparency
• Strengthening family and community partnerships

These areas have been incorporated into both the Strategic Plan outcomes and implementation steps.

Next Steps for Implementation

Over the coming months, the following actions will take place:

• Develop annual SMART goals aligned to the Strategic Plan
• Create a District Scorecard to monitor progress (June 2026)
• Align goals to School Improvement Plans, departments, and individual roles (July 2026)
• Communicate the plan to the community (August 2026)
• Provide quarterly progress updates to the Board beginning in the 2026–2027 school year

Special thanks to Dr. Reginald L. Todd of Studer Education for supporting the facilitation of the strategic planning process, as well as to the members of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee: Jeremy Glickman, Emily Lonigro, Richard Kong, Kenya Austin, Scott Grens, Elisa Leporini, Christie Samojedny, Edgar Estela, Garima Sharma, Lisa Goyco, Lauryn Sullivan, Greg Hanson, Dr. Kennetta Perry, and Janna Simon, for their time, input, and thoughtful consideration in helping shape the future direction of Skokie School District 68.

The Board of Education formally approved the 2026–2031 Strategic Plan at the May 21, 2026 Board of Education Meeting, as presented. WE ARE Skokie 68!