Last updated: January 27, 2011

Falls Church City School Board Work Plan: Progress Report

July 1, 2010-December 31, 2011

Below is the six-month progress update on the Falls Church City School Board’s 18-Month Work Plan. Approved
unanimously by the School Board on August 24, 2010, the Work Plan guides and sets the School Board’s agenda
through the end of 2011.

After working at a breakneck pace during fall 2010, the School Board ended the year well-ahead of schedule and
having made significant progress to accomplish the priorities laid out for the City’s public schools. As such, the
School Board is prepared to fully focus their time, energy, and political will behind two of the Board’s most
critical responsibilities – the development of the FY 2012 budget and find a new superintendent.

Completed  Active Scheduled for the future Administrative & Ongoing

Falls Church City School Board Work Plan: Progress Report

July 1, 2010-December 31, 2011

Item Progress
Superintendent Search


Develop process and timeline to find a new superintendent


Devise process to engage public and gather input


Retain outside services to assist in nationwide search

Interview candidates, narrow the field, and make a final decision.

Determine new evaluation instrument aligned to work plan, strategic plan, along side a new
timeline aligned to new organizational dates and availability of performance data
Clean up, organize, and memorialize school district practice in all applicable policies,
regulations, and handbooks
Ensure high-quality school buildings capable for supporting educational goals and meeting growing student
population
Finalize a long-term facilities plan by January 2011

Pending QSCB
Award
Continue to work with City Council and the Planning Commission to explore cost effective
options to meet growing long-term school facility needs and significantly reform and improve
the CIP process
/
Pending QSCB
Award

1
 Evaluate the feasibility, funding instruments, and sites to address school facility needs, in
collaboration with City Council /
Pending QSCB
Award
All policies related to facilities are reviewed and revised as necessary

Pending QSCB
Award
Provide every student with a rigorous, world-class education
Evaluate 2010 student goals; set new goals for 2011 to ensure that every student has at least a
year’s worth of growth for a year of school; hold district accountable for results; and where
necessary develop improvement plans
Finalize and use a data system to track individual student’s academic progress by January 2011
(and ensure transparency and access of information for parents)
Use data driven decision making to empower School Board, Superintendent, principals and
staff to provide proactive and timely focused evidence based remediation to support student
learning
Develop e-learning and dual enrollment opportunities for high school students to promote
rigor and relevance by Spring 2011 budget process; first offerings to be widely available to all
students in Summer 2011.
Complete application process, frequently monitor, including quarterly reports to the SB, and
make the necessary adjustments to finalize implementation of PYP by Fall 2011.
Assess value of MYP program for our overall educational objectives, and the options the IBO
will allow FCCPS to engage in to have a successful implementation of the program.
Research and evaluate use of existing school time and develop School Board statement to
reflect consensus of the board to extend learning time.
Receive and review report from Director of Special Education and Student Services

Develop a responsible budget to ensure the independence and ongoing excellence in our schools


Devise legislative plan to support budget needs and lessen financial pressures on district


Create a unified City/School Board budget calendar

Sustain our community’s commitment to educational excellence and continue practice to keep
budget cuts away from the classroom and ensure that all classes of employees are treated
fairly, while looking for greater efficiencies and savings with the City
Conduct work in a transparent manner that engages all stakeholders

Continue to foster solid working relationship with City Council and City Staff

Review, evaluate, and refocus investments to support high expectations for staff, students, and
ensure that struggling students are provided with more time to improve learning
Develop a multi-year funding formula to stabilize funding for operations and capital needs and
obtain commitment from City Council for formula

2
Promote Effective School Board Governance


Create, sign, and embody a Civility Code of Conduct

Ensure that every school board member obtains professional development to build board
capacity and support continuous learning and innovation


Consider applying for the NSBA Magna School Board Award and VSBA Board of Excellence
Awards
Pending Magna
Award Decision
Agree upon process to evaluate school board’s performance on work plan and develop loop
for continuous improvement and learning
Develop, in consultation with community and staff, plan to write a new district wide strategic
plan
Clean up, organize, and memorialize School Board practice in policy and bylaws

Improve Board’s communication with community

Develop and implement communications plan to foster community engagement and
awareness at the “grassroots” and “water cooler” level on all matters in this work plan by
September 2010

Promote awareness about the district’s successes through district’s new website, including but
not limited to IB, students acceptance to college, sport’s titles, school meal program, and high
school graduation rate

All vacancies on advisory boards and committees are filled

All policies related to communications are reviewed and revised as necessary

Modernize human capital policies to link teacher and administrator evaluations to student performance
Keep apprised of VDOE Panel to develop new teacher and administrator evaluation linked to
student performance.
Receive report on the effectiveness of the current teacher/administrator evaluation instrument
to link teacher and administrator evaluations to student performance, how evaluations reflect
“teamwork” to support student goals, and how evaluations are used as a tool to support
teacher/administrator and student learning.
As necessary in light of reports, revise policies to support student learning.

*All deadlines are December 31, 2011 unless otherwise noted.