FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

John Kinney

RIH, BOE President

[email protected]

https://www.rih.org/

Ramapo-Indian Hills (RIH) School District Commits to Strategic Plan Development

Franklin Lakes, Oakland, Wyckoff (FLOW), NJ, July 28, 2020: The Ramapo-Indian Hills (RIH) School District will embark on developing a strategic plan for the district in 2020-2021. The resolution to support this process was approved unanimously by the RIH Board of Education at their monthly BOE meeting on July 27, 2020. 

The strategic objective is to analyze and evaluate current student body readiness for postsecondary education or workforce entry. The plan will also help to identify keys capabilities, including: 

• Opportunities for better integration and alignment of resources for the two schools and three sending communities (FLOW)
• Options for coordination with local municipalities, county, and state education entities, and private educational partners, i.e., local universities 
• The overall observation and improvements of internal and external workings across our organization, community, and partners to deliver best in class educational options for the student body 

The long-range plan will provide a specific three year look forward with a foresight to five years.

Input from across the RIH District will be gathered to focus on three objectives to complete the plan: 

1.  Define core educational capabilities based on facts gathered.
2.  To identify gaps by gathering stakeholder input to assess current state and benchmark capabilities and         prioritize those strategies for the strategic plan.
3.  Develop a roadmap to address those capabilities and role gaps that are identified.

After a thorough review process involving executive administrative personnel, and BOE members of the Strategic Planning Committee, DST Consulting was contracted to lead this comprehensive undertaking. DST Consulting brings a senior management team with extensive education experience, both at the administration and teaching level, and a strong consulting background.  

DST Consulting is a planning, research, and advisory firm serving K-12 education.  The leaders of DST Consulting include Dr. Robert Avossa, the former Superintendent from the 10th largest school district in the United States, Palm Beach County Schools, Florida.  The team consists of former members of Gartner's K-12 Education practice, including David Irwin, its leader.  Mr. Irwin also serves as a board member in Madison, NJ.  The collective team has supported strategic plans of districts across the US, including the state of Louisiana's Department of Education, NYC Department of Education, South Brunswick, NJ, Houston Independent School District, Palm Beach County Schools, and Fulton County Schools, GA to name a few.

John Kinney, RIH School Board President, said,  "We are excited to begin this process and look forward to the engagement of all our community stakeholders in Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff. We are committed to the betterment of our district, and our last plan was in 2012 -- it's time to implement this project". 

John Carolan, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, added: "This plan will be a great asset to the BOE, administration, and the communities we serve in guiding our future decisions, for example, hiring a permanent superintendent, staff development, long-range facilities investments, financial planning and mostly, providing the best education for our student body." 

Note: Initial Strategic Planning launch date and timelines will be determined after school reopening plans, due to COVID19 are finalized and executed.