Weedsport Central School District

If you haven’t heard by now, the Weedsport Central School District has been working on its first Strategic Plan for more than a year. 

 

The culmination of that plan has resulted in the official launch of that plan this fall. You can see the plan and read more about it on our Strategic Plan webpage.

 

You can also hear Superintendent Gregory M. Stone talk about the plan in-depth on his recent appearance on “Cool Schools” here: Weedsport Strategic Plan “Cool Schools” Interview

 

We also recently sat down with Superintendent Stone to discuss the launch of the Strategic Plan. You can read that conversation right here:

 

Q: When did you first decide to embark on making a strategic plan for the Weedsport Central School District? 

 

Stone: This was a priority for me as a new Superintendent. After taking time to acclimate to my new role in January 2024, we officially began the strategic planning process in April 2024.

 

Q: Why was this such an important priority for you early on in your tenure as Superintendent? 

 

Stone: Developing a strategic plan with input from all stakeholders is essential for any organization. It allows us to clearly articulate our values, establish a shared vision for the future, and identify actionable goals that directly improve student outcomes. A strong strategic plan creates a transparent framework for continuous improvement, one that is regularly evaluated, adjusted, and implemented to ensure measurable progress in key areas. It also helps keep our staff, students, and community aligned and engaged in moving the district forward.

 

Q: How does the plan stack up in terms of your vision before putting it together, and the final product? 

 

Stone: The process was both interesting and deeply fulfilling. Having been involved in strategic planning in previous roles, I came into this with a clear understanding of best practices. Our stakeholder group, a thoughtful mix of students, staff, parents, community members, board of education members, and administrators, allowed us to cast a wide net and ensure all voices were represented.

Throughout the process, my primary focus was keeping the committee centered on our guiding question: “What do our students need to succeed in life?” This ensured that all conversations and decisions remained student-focused. The final plan truly reflects a collective effort, with clearly defined goals that are directly tied to this guiding question. I am very pleased with the result, as it provides a roadmap that continually focuses our energy, resources, and initiatives on improving outcomes for every student

 

Q: How will the strategic plan impact the district on a day-to-day, year-to-year level?  

 

Stone: The plan is already shaping both our short and long-term decision-making. We are currently in the implementation phase, raising awareness and understanding among staff, students, and the community. Moving forward, the strategic plan will guide all of our goals and help shift the district culture toward shared purpose and alignment.

 

I aim for every staff member to integrate the strategic plan into their personal and team goals, forming commitments that align with district priorities. By fostering a Professional Learning Community culture, we emphasize collaboration, collective responsibility, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making. This ensures targeted support for every student and strengthens learning outcomes across the district.

 

Q: What are some ways the leadership team will ensure the district is being held accountable in terms of implementing the plan, and sticking to the plan?  

 

Stone: Accountability is built into the plan through clearly defined SMART Goals for each strategic objective. These goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound, allowing us to track progress and adjust as needed. We have also developed a dedicated website to report on our goals, including graphs and data to demonstrate our performance. Additionally, we will provide annual updates to the Board of Education, ensuring transparency and continued oversight. 

 

Q: If there is one takeaway you hope the community gets from the strategic plan, what do you want that to be?  

Stone: The biggest takeaway is the level of involvement and collaboration throughout the process. The committee leveraged our district’s strong foundation, history, and past accomplishments to craft a vision that drives innovation and excellence in academics, character, and community. Above all, the strategic plan reinforces our commitment to preparing every student for personal and professional success, best summarized in our core commitment: “Inspiring Excellence. Ensuring Success.”