RCS board approves 2026-30 strategic plan

About 150 hours of meetings went into the second phase of developing Richmond Community Schools’ new strategic plan. Some of the resulting proposals might feel familiar from previous years, especially regarding grade configurations. 

RCS’ board approved the 2026-2030 plan in a 5-1 vote during its Feb. 18 meeting. Kym Pickering voted no; Aaron Stevens was absent.

Pickering said a lot of work went into the plan and she really appreciates some aspects of it, but raised concerns about accountability and how the board will stay updated on progress. She’s also concerned about suggested personnel costs during financial challenges, such as for expanding the district’s marketing role.

The plan offers a new mission and vision statement, five core values and six strategic imperatives. Phase 1 work began in 2024 and Phase 2 began in June of 2025, including meetings, training sessions, board and staff retreats and surveys. 

Grade configuration

Under Student Achievement and Building for the Future imperatives, the board would approve human and financial resources and an implementation plan to relocate preschool students to an early learning center at the former Baxter Elementary, where the Community Youth Services program is currently based.  Moving the early learning center back to Baxter during the 2027-28 school year will make room in elementary buildings for fifth graders to return.

Test and Dennis will then again serve as middle schools each serving grades 6-8.

The one major change might involve Hibberd Program Building, which could be decommissioned. New locations would be found for science/technology/engineering/art/math, LOGOS gifted instruction and applied skills programs.

Ruth Stone, president of CDO Consulting Group, said many people, ranging from employees to community members, were involved in the plan’s development. While work on some components has started, Stone said, she cautioned that full implementation will take time. Richmond-based architect LWC and RCS administrators are recommending a schedule to the board for formalizing and implementing a 10-year facility plan.

Noting concerns from constituents, board member Nicole Stults said Hibberd’s issues are the building’s condition, not its programs. Stults said it’s fiscally responsible to look at other sites for its programs. Stone said no decision has been made about whether programs will move out or where they would go.

Teacher communication

During public comment, Richmond Education Association President Jay Lee said teachers were not as involved in the strategic planning as district leaders are suggesting. He said three teachers were invited to be part of the 59 people involved in Phase 1 of the strategic plan, and six teachers could participate in the second phase.

During an approximately 90-minute meeting with Stone, they had about 10 minutes to review a plan draft, heard from the central office and then had time to ask questions. They received a survey the next day. Lee said his survey responses included lots of questions but he didn’t hear back.  

Lee said he thought teachers and paraprofessionals should have been more involved in the planning process from the beginning.  

Stone said that the building principals and administrators who participated are licensed teachers, so they also represented teachers. 

Accountability

According to a district news release, the plan provides a vehicle to measure success while holding people accountable for progress.

Superintendent Curtis Wright is to offer quarterly reports to the board and community regarding the district’s progress in achieving measurable goals. The school board could approve changes to portions of the plan as new information or circumstances arise.

“Approving this plan shows the board’s conviction to do what is in the best interest of the district,” RCS school board president Austin Brann said in the release. “We are excited to support the administration and staff as these goals become a reality.”