1. Board of Directors Strategic Planning Presentation
for
The Academy
Charter School
January 26, 2009
The intent of the Board Retreat is to establish long range plans for Collegiate Academy and Collegiate Junior High.
The format of the retreat will include both a training component and an interactive component. The training component will deal with the process of long range or strategic planning. The interactive component will involve interaction, discussion, and development of long range plans for the school(s).
The issues that some of the board members requested would be in the agenda are woven into the presentation and the planning process. 1

2. Formulation of Long-Range Plan2

3. Why Develop a Plan?
It will help your organization focus on the right stuff and you will decide what that is.
It is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it.

4. Why Plan Strategically?
Often, the process is more important than the plan
It can strengthen & sustain organizational achievement
It can facilitate communication, participation, and buy-in
It can accommodate divergent interests and values
It can foster orderly decision making & successful implementation

5. The Strategic Planning Approach (Bryson 1988)
We will initiate & agree on a process
Clarifying mission & values
Assess the external environment: opportunities & threats
Assess the internal environment: strengths & weaknesses
Identify strategic issues facing the school
Formulate long term objectives and strategies
Establish a workable plan

6. The Difference between Strategic and Operational Objectives
Strategic Objectives (20% of the work – what you will focus on today to build future capacity, growth, efficiency etc.-Mostly Board activity)
Operational Directives (80% of the work – what you must do day to day to fulfill your mission-mostly Administration’s activity)

7. Institutionalization of Strategy
Strategic Management
Process Flow Model
Vision Statement
Mission Statement
External Environment
School Profile
Long-term Objectives
Strategy Formulation
Strategy Implementation
Annual Objectives
Operating Strategies
Institutionalization of Strategy
Control and
Policies
Evaluation 3

8. Strategy Formulation Overview
Mission Statement
School Environment
Community
District
Local, State, and Federal Political Environment
School Profile - SWOT Analysis
Long-Term Objectives
The simplified model characterizes strategy formulation as consisting of the activities listed above.
Once a vision and mission are established for the organization and an analysis is performed regarding the organization’s external environment and profile, long-term objectives can be set.
Long-term objectives are statements of the results an organization seeks to achieve over a specified period, typically five years. Long-term objectives are usually establish along the following areas: Profitability, Productivity, Competitive Position, Employee Development, Employee Relations, Technological Leadership, and Public Responsibility.
Qualities of long-term objectives:
Acceptable
Flexible
Measurable
Motivating
Suitable
Understandable
Achievable 4

9. Mission Statement
The Academy’s mission is to assist families in developing exemplary citizens by equipping students with core foundational knowledge enabling them to be culturally literate, prepared for college, and virtuous in character. We accomplish this through a rigorous curriculum of traditional content taught in a safe environment.

10. Approach Statement
Our Approach
The following summary describes many of the salient elements that define The Academy’s unique approach to its mission:
Elementary
Intensive instruction in phonics, reading, writing
and math.
Core Knowledge Curriculum
Open Court Reading
McGraw Hill Reading
Riggs Phonics
Step-Up and Six-Trait Writing
Accelerated Reading Program
Saxon Math
Program Includes:
Music
Art
Computers
Band
Field Trips
Student Council
Physical Education
6th Grade Outdoor Education
Uniforms for Students
Mad Science Program
The mission of an organization is the unique purpose that sets it apart from other organizations of its type and identifies the scope of its operations. In short, the mission describes the organization’s product or service, market, and areas of emphasis that reflects the values and priorities of the strategic decision makers.3
The objectives of the organization’s mission statement are:
1. To ensure unanimity of purpose
2. To provide a basis for motivating the use of the organization’s resources.
3. To develop a basis, or standard, for allocating organizational resources.
4. To establish a general tone or organizational climate
5. To specify organizational purposes and the translation of these purposes into goals.
6. To facilitate the translation of objectives and goals into a work structure involving the assignment of tasks to responsible elements within the organization. 4
3Pearce, John A. II and Robinson, Richard B. Jr. Formulation, Implementation, and Control of Competitive Strategy. Burr Ridge, Illinois: Richard D. Irwin, Inc
4 Ibid. 6

11. Approach Statement Junior High Core Knowledge Curriculum
Six-Trait Writing
Saxon Math
Computer Education
Foreign Languages (Spanish & French)
Art, Music, Band, and Physical Education
Student Council
Dress Code
High School
College Preparatory Courses
Fine Arts Curriculum - Art, Band, Choir,
Orchestra, Drama, and Photography
AP Courses
National Honor Society
Student Council and Clubs
Physical Education
Post Secondary Classes with Front Range
Community College

12. Approach Statement Character Education Program
K-12 training/development of ethical and moral values.
Emphasis placed on instruction in the core values of:
Respect
Self-control
Responsibility
Kindness
Courage
Integrity

13. The Academy’s External Environment
Community
District
Local, State, and Federal Political Environment
The numerous external factors that can influence an organization’s choice of direction and action can be characterized under three major categories: the remote environment, the industry environment, and the operating environment. For purposes of simplification, we will consider the factors listed above in analyzing Collegiate Academy’s external environment. Other factors may be added as we discuss these areas.
All of the factors above can have an impact on the direction we take and the actions we choose. For example, the favor that has been developed with the District allows us to pursue certain actions that may not be available to us if we were at odds with the District.
The political environment on all levels have made school choice a more viable alternative than it has been in the recent past.
While we will not focus on these areas in the retreat, as board members, we should stay abreast of the developments within the external environment in order to help us make better choices regarding the direction and actions we choose. We must remember, we are not operating in a vacuum. Social, political, economic, competition, and other factors can influence our success as an organization and we must be diligent in knowing how to adapt to these external factors. 7

14. The Academy’s Profile SWOT Analysis Strategic Internal Factors
Strengths
Weaknesses
Key External Factors
Opportunities
Threats/Challenges
See JA Sample
To maximize the favorable opportunities in the environment, a firm must base its strategy on a thorough consideration of its internal strengths and weaknesses.
SWOT is an acronym for the internal Strengths, Weaknesses, of a organization and the environmental Opportunities, and Threats facing that organization.
A strength is a resource, skill, or other advantage relative to competitor. It is a distinctive competence when it gives the firm a comparative advantage in the marketplace.
A weakness is a limitation or deficiency in resource, skills, and capabilities that seriously impedes an organization’s effective performance. Facilities, financial resources, and size can be sources of weakness.
An opportunity is a major favorable situation in a firm’s environment. Key trends are one source of opportunities. Favorable political environment can provide opportunities for an organization.
A threat is a major unfavorable situation in a firm’s environment 11

15. Sample Long-Term Objectives
Refinement of Educational Program
Staff Growth and Development
Board Strengthening and Development
Communications throughout the school community
Creation and Development of innovative learning opportunities 18

16. Sample Long-Term Objectives
Financial Viability to Support Program
Improve Communications throughout the school community
Implement comprehensive Special Needs Program
Institutionalize Student Character Development 19

17. Strategy Implementation20

18. Strategy Implementation
Annual Objectives- See JA/Excel Sample
Functional Strategies- See JA/Excel Sample
Policies
Organizational Structure
Leadership and Culture 21