Bloomfield Hills Schools has worked since November 2007 to develop a formal ten-year strategic plan. The District engaged Project Innovations of Farmington Hills to develop “Our Call to Action: Become a National Lighthouse District by 2018”. Eight months of work on the plan included partners Anderson Economic Group of Lansing; Dr. Suzanne Wilson, chair of the department of teacher education at Michigan State University; and Wade-Trim, Inc. of Livonia. Project Innovations facilitated a day-long retreat with 100 District “champions”, several Board retreats, five community input sessions, and individual interviews with key stakeholders. The draft plan was accepted by the Board of Education in June and a public comment period ensued. The District began implementing the plan in September 2008, with a call to the community for strategic goal team members and the formation of four teams: facilities master plan, financial success, lighthouse curriculum and building community partnerships. The goal teams will meet throughout the 2008-2009 school year, with an advisory community partnership committee to form in spring 2009. The Board has asked the facilities master plan goal team to make a recommendation on school consolidation by December 2008. The team consists of principals and a parent representative from every elementary and middle school, the Bloomfield Hills Education Association representative, a Board of Education trustee, community leaders, and administrators as ex-officio members. Arguably the healthiest school district in Michigan with years of budget surpluses, a top credit rating and a history of instructional excellence, Bloomfield Hills Schools is facing a number of issues that threaten its fiscal future. They include falling enrollment, physical infrastructure decline, uncertain funding from Lansing, and escalating retirement and fixed costs.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 December 2008 )
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