Strategic Plan - Empower95 (2023-2028)
Empower95 Strategic Plan
Overview
Throughout the 2022-23 school year, Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 engaged in a Strategic Planning initiative to develop a roadmap for the strategic initiatives of the school district for the next 5 years. This plan follows the successful completion of the Forward95 Strategic Plan (click here to see information about Forward95) which was adopted in 2017.
Below are the Mission, Values, Vision, Goals & Strategies as defined by the teams involved with the Empower95 strategic planning effort. Also defined below are the Action Plans for the current year as defined by the administration and Board, to meet the objectives of this plan.
An overview of the process and the team members involved with the development of the Empower95 Strategic Plan are also shown below.
If you have any difficulty viewing the content on these pages, please contact the Communications Department via email at feedback@l95.org or via phone at (847) 540-4951.
Click here for the Empower95 Dashboard with Action Plans status updates.
Student Perspectives on Empower95
Paige Kutsor and Lucas McMahon are Lake Zurich High School students who participated as members of the Empower95 Strategic Planning Team. These high school seniors explain in their own words why a strategic plan is important for a school district, how the team reached consensus, what they learned from the process, and more. Watch this short video featuring Paige and Lucas to learn more about student perspectives on the Empower95 strategic plan.
Strategic Plan Components
- Mission
- Values
- Vision: Portrait of a Graduate
- Goals & Strategies
- Action Plans for the 2023-24 School Year
- Action Plans for the 2024-25 School Year
- Overview & Process
- Strategic Planning & Portrait of a Graduate Team Members
Mission
MISSION...Why We Exist
Empower95 Mission Statement
The District 95 mission was reaffirmed and will be carried forward as part of the Empower95 strategic plan, because "empower every learner to achieve personal excellence" still represents the primary purpose of the school district. The Strategic Planning committee felt this mission statement continued to ring true because "every learner" means students, staff, and everyone who is part of the District 95 learning community. "Personal excellence" represents all learners whose goals and aspirations are unique to each individual.
As a guiding statement for the organization, the mission statement is important. But so is the imagery that accompanies it. In the image above, an aerial view of the community is in the distance, encompassing some of our property and even the original Ela Township High School which captured so many memories as a high school, middle school, and elementary school over the past 100 years. This image represents the community and our past.
In the foreground is an image of rocks being stacked to create a "cairn". The rocks are all different sizes, shapes, textures, and colors, and are part of a bigger plan or purpose. These elements are symbolic and can represent our plans, our stakeholders, our values, our growth, etc. These symbols are here to help us remember and live our strategic plan each day.
Values
Our Values...What We Stand For
Empower95 Values
Through stakeholder feedback and Strategic Planning committee discussions, seven values were adopted as part of the Empower95 Strategic Plan. Values were defined as "what we stand for" or "the lines we will not cross". Most of the values from the previous strategic plan were carried forward: Collaboration, Equity, Integrity, Perseverance, and Respect. In addition, two new values, Academic Excellence and Accountability were added. The Strategic Planning committee felt these seven values were most important and serve as guideposts for how we act as individuals and as an organization.
The imagery is also important in reminding us that our actions and behavior matter. A droplet may be small, but it's ripples may be far-reaching. In this same way, by striving to live by these values, an individual's actions can have a rippling effect within the learning community and in the world beyond.
This water droplet image with a rippling effect represents the importance of the actions and behavior of all individuals in the District 95 learning community. It serves to remind us to live our strategic plan each day.
Definitions and Specific Behaviors
At District 95, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and dynamic learning environment for every student, honoring and respecting diverse backgrounds, identities, cultures, and experiences. This commitment is rooted in the seven core values that define and guide our district culture. These values, developed collaboratively with our Board of Education and diverse stakeholder committees, establish clear expectations, and shape the foundation of our schools. They also serve as guiding principles, ensuring that we uphold an inclusive, respectful, and high-achieving educational community.
Academic Excellence
Definition: Achieve the highest standards of personal excellence for all learners through all-encompassing academics, exceptional teaching, and a commitment to continuous improvement
Specific Behaviors: Stakeholders will…
- Commit to rigorous standards by setting high goals, fostering creativity in learning, demonstrating growth toward individualized academic benchmarks through dedicated teaching, continuous assessment, and focusing on student multidimensional achievement
- Engage in ongoing learning and growth to enhance instructional practices and student outcomes
- Demonstrate extraordinary leadership by mentoring peers, leading educational initiatives, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation
- Implement data-informed decision making by utilizing data and research to inform actions to ensure the highest quality of learning
- Ensure a student-centered approach by prioritizing the needs and potential of each learner, focusing on individualized paths to success (college, career, trade, etc.), providing personalized support, and encouraging a love of learning
- Participate in reflective practice by maintaining high standards, self-driven learning, reflecting on personal growth, and striving for continuous improvement
Accountability
Definition: Hold oneself and others responsible for actions and outcomes
Specific Behaviors: Stakeholders will…
- Accept responsibility, of self and others, for personal actions and outcomes
- Measure and reflect on the effectiveness of actions and outcomes
- Set and communicate clear expectations
- Follow through to ensure expectations are achieved
- Provide others with open, honest, and actionable feedback
Collaboration
Definition: Work interdependently to positively affect learning and take collective responsibility for the outcomes
Specific Behaviors: Stakeholders will…
- Engage in active listening behaviors (i.e., fully concentrating, demonstrating empathy to others, avoiding interruptions, allowing for discourse)
- Demonstrate open communication by providing and accepting feedback, setting clear expectations, and ensuring all learners have a voice
- Share responsibility, ownership, and support of decisions and goals
- Demonstrate flexibility and openness to diverse ideas and practices, willingness to change or compromise to resolve conflicts
- Encourage openness to diverse perspectives, foster a safe space for sharing ideas, and promote continuous learning and creative problem-solving
Equity
Definition: Every learner has access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to achieve personal excellence
Specific Behaviors: Stakeholders will…
- Foster an environment that supports inclusivity and a positive culture
- Offer learning opportunities that are non-biased and inclusive
- Implement instructional practices that are fair to all
- Provide access to wellness supports
- Engage meaningfully with all stakeholders in the learning community
Integrity
Definition: An uncompromising commitment to strong moral and ethical values
Specific Behaviors: Stakeholders will…
- Lead by example by doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and setting a positive standard for others to follow
- Communicate honestly and transparently, with genuine expression of intentions, even when the information may be difficult to share
- Respect sensitive information by only sharing it with appropriate individuals, and exercise discretion in conversations to maintain trust
- Act in a fair and sincere manner to ensure equal opportunities for everyone
- Take responsibility by acknowledging and admitting mistakes and seeking solutions to rectify them
Perseverance
Definition: Unwavering commitment to move forward to achieve goals
Specific Behaviors: Stakeholders will…
- Focus on solutions when presented with a problem
- Demonstrate flexible/creative thinking when problem-solving
- Attempt multiple strategies or another strategy after a real or perceived failure and employ coping strategies as appropriate
- Ask for support when needed
- Provide support and encouragement to others who are facing when faced with a setback
- Demonstrate grit and resilience in the face of adversity to see an objective through
- Accept that failure is an opportunity for growth and progress
Respect
Definition: Involves acknowledging the inherent value of each person
Specific Behaviors: Stakeholders will…
- Show courtesy verbally and nonverbally
- Demonstrate empathy toward others
- Value and acknowledge diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and skills
- Remain open-minded and non-judgmental in interactions
- Assume positive intent from others
Vision: Portrait of a Graduate
VISION: Our Aspiration
Empower95 Vision Statement: Portrait of a Graduate
A dedicated team of stakeholders - the Portrait of a Graduate team - was formed during the strategic planning process to develop, incorporate feedback, and refine the a Portrait of a Graduate document which serves to as the Vision for the district. Five characteristics were ultimately identified for the Portrait of a Graduate based on the work of the team and feedback from the broader learning community and the Strategic Planning team. While there are many other characteristics that are important and desirable, these five continually rose to the top as the Vision for District 95 graduates:
Effective Communicator
Global Citizen
Advocate for Self & Others
Future Ready
Growth Oriented
Students at all levels can demonstrate at least some of these characteristics in an age/ability appropriate manner - and will continue to develop these skills over time. Each characteristic is defined by several "Demonstrated by" statements that tells the student, staff, parent/guardian what to look for when developing or mastering these characteristics.
The imagery is also important in reminding us as our students develop their characteristics and head toward becoming a District 95 graduate, the path is not always straight, as seen with the curved stepping stones in the picture. Additionally, the stones near the front of the image are in the sharpest focus - in the same way that we know what step to take next, but we may be less sure of subsequent steps right now. Finally, the background is open but is not clear - much in the way that the future is wide open for our graduates, with endless possibilities.
| CHARACTERISTIC | DEMONSTRATED BY |
|---|---|
| Effective Communicator |
|
| Global Citizen |
|
| Advocate for Self & Others |
|
| Future Ready |
|
| Growth Oriented |
|
Goals & Strategies
GOAL & STRATEGIES: Our priorities for the next 5 years (2023-28)
After the Mission, Values, and Vision were finalized, the Strategic Planning team focused on Strategies, which can be thought of as objectives. It is under these Strategies that strategic projects (also known as Action Plans) are developed by the administration throughout the next five years.
The Strategies delineated in the Empower95 Strategic Plan emerged from the committee's efforts during the development of a SWOT analysis. This analysis systematically identified the district's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats—typically encompassing potential external concerns beyond our control.
Strategies were grouped into four major Goal Areas: Students, Staff, Resources, Family and Community. The chart below shows all of the Strategies defined for the five-year Empower95 Strategic Plan. The next section outlines the Action Plans (strategic projects) that have begun for the first year under most strategies. Action Plans will be developed for each year of the plan, some building off of the work done the prior year.
| GOAL AREA | STRATEGIES |
|---|---|
| Students |
|
| Staff |
|
| Resources |
|
| Family & Community |
|
Action Plans for the 2023-24 School Year
Action Plans 2023-24
Click on the Action Plan titles below to see more details.
Goal Area: Students
Action Plans
- Student Language Offerings
- Career Exploration/Pathways, Personal Interests, and Authentic Learning
- School Safety
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Standard Integration
- Post-Secondary Employability Skills
Goal Area: Staff
Action Plans
- Staff Professional Learning, Diverse Student Needs
- Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Development
- Candidate Recruitment & Hiring
- Staff/Administrator Growth & Learning
Goal Area: Resources
Action Plans
- Furniture Replacement to Promote Ideal Classroom Environments
- LZHS Facilities Improvements Enhancing Programming & Student Experiences
- Implement New Student Information System
- Transportation Real Estate Investment Analysis
- Energy Cost Reduction Analysis Through Solar
Goal Area: Family & Community
Action Plans
Action Plans for the 2024-25 School Year
Action Plans 2024-25
Click on the Action Plan titles below to see more details.
Goal Area: Students
Action Plans
- Reunification Planning
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Standard Integration
- Student Language Offerings and Multilingual Programming
Goal Area: Staff
Action Plans
- Candidate Recruitment & Hiring
- Staff Professional Learning, Diverse Student Needs - 24-25 Update
- Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Development
- Staff/Administrator Growth & Learning
Goal Area: Resources
Action Plans
- District Technology Audit
- Eco-Empowerment: Solar Innovations and Sustainable Actions
- Furniture Replacement to Promote Ideal Classroom Environments
- Investigate Benefits Paydown Option for Illinois Municipal Retirement Plan (IMRF)
- LZHS Facilities Improvements Enhancing Programming & Student Experiences
Goal Area: Family & Community
Action Plans
Overview & Process
Overview & Process
Using a strategic planning framework which was presented to the Board of Education in July 2022, the process included a wide range of stakeholder involvement. Nearly 60 people participated on two teams representing the following stakeholder groups: parents, PTO representatives, high school students, middle school students, teachers, administrative support staff, administrators, community partners including local government representatives, area business representatives, Educational Foundation representatives, higher education representatives, and Board of Education members. In addition, nine Cabinet members were present as observers, presenters, and occasionally as participants in meetings. Across both teams, participants were highly engaged throughout the process.
The Strategic Planning team was formed with approximately 40 team members from the stakeholder groups mentioned above. The team met in person six times from August through January with some additional work outside of the meeting times. The focus of this team was to review and define the district’s Mission, Vision, Values, Goals, and Strategies, providing the Strategic Planning framework under which action plans (projects) will be created annually. Each team member contributed approximately 22 hours of time to the process.
The Portrait of a Graduate team was formed with approximately 20 team members from the stakeholder groups mentioned above. This group met in person in September and October over the course of three meetings and was also given some additional work outside of the meeting times. The focus of this team was to define an aspirational picture of a Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 graduate in terms of characteristics and attributes, known as a Portrait of a Graduate. Each team member contributed approximately eight to ten hours of time to the process.
To assist in the entire Strategic Planning process, the district hired an outside lead facilitator, Dr. John Burkey, Executive Director of the Large Unit District Association for Illinois. Dr. Burkey has participated in many strategic planning initiatives and brought a valuable lens as well as expert facilitation skills to the process.
As an additional tool to help gather broader stakeholder feedback, the district licensed a tool called ThoughtExchange which not only has survey capabilities but also poses open-ended questions, allowing for broader feedback capabilities. Participants have the opportunity to share their own freeform thoughts, and the Exchange provides transparency into how others are thinking as respondents rate the thoughts of others. Allowing this open dialogue helps large groups of people understand how others are thinking and can foster a sense of trust through transparency in the process. Engagement levels are analyzed both through the level of commenting and through the rating of other people’s thoughts; a rating exchange ratio of 20-30 and above indicates a high level of engagement. The district launched two Exchanges to assist the teams with broader community feedback; both Exchanges had high levels of community engagement with rating exchange ratios of 32 and 33.
For more information about the work of the Strategic Planning and Portrait of a Graduate teams, please click on the links below to see the comprehensive report to the Board of Education on March 23, 2023:
Click here for the comprehensive Strategic Planning report to the Board of Education
Click here for the branded Strategic Plan, Empower 95, as presented to the Board of Education
Strategic Planning & Portrait of a Graduate Team Members
Strategic Planning Team Members
- Lincoln Adams, LZHS Student
- Kelley Belew, Elementary Teacher & Parent
- Jess Butera, Elementary Teacher
- Rosa Castaneda, Parent Representative
- Katie Culver, Elementary Administrator
- Natashia Dannegger, Parent Representative
- Ketan Date, Middle School Student
- Anthony Dengler, MS Administrator
- Dominick DiMaggio, Village of Hawthorn Woods, Mayor
- Michael Drawhorn, Parent Representative
- Carinn Fleming, Parent Representative
- Scott Floy, Parent Representative
- Doug Goldberg, Board of Education Vice President
- Brian Hefferan, MS Teacher
- Steve Husak, Village of Lake Zurich, Chief of Police
- Kathy Jamison, LZEA Representative & MS Teacher
- Paige Kutsor, LZHS Student
- Kristen LaJeunesse, HS Teacher & Parent
- Andrew Lambert, HS Administrator
- Theresa Lipari, Parent Representative
- Maddie Lynch, Middle School Student
- Gabriela Martin, District Administrator/Bilingual
- Scott McConnell, Board of Education President & Parent
- Lucas McMahon, LZHS Student
- Gloria Palmblad, Ela Township Supervisor
- David Pilgard, Village of Lake Zurich, Fire Chief
- Angie Powers, Elementary Coach & Parent
- Tom Poynton, Village of Lake Zurich, Mayor
- Sue Richards, ESP Support Staff (Elementary) & Parent
- Megan Roscoe, Village of Deer Park, Village Treasurer & Parent
- Lauren Rosenthal, Ela Library Director
- Kelly Schoonover, Parent Representative
- Claire Slattery, LZACC President & Parent
- Lori Smith, ESP Support Staff (Secondary)
- Danielle Stevens, District Safety Manager
- Cara Stronsky, LZHS Counselor
- Sheila Wells, LZEA Representative & Elementary Teacher
Portrait of a Graduate Team Members
- Jennifer Adams, Elementary Assistant Principal/Parent
- Alexis Alt, MS Student
- Erin DeLuga, LZHS Principal
- Randal Dunbar, LZHS Teacher/Parent
- Ali Finn, District Development Coordinator
- Anni Ford, Smalley Steel Ring
- Mark Frey, SRO
- Julie Garrow, Elementary Teacher/Parent
- Melissa Gray, Technology
- Kelly Green, Math Coach/Parent
- Joe Haney, LZHS Dean
- Todd Jakowitsch, Middle School Principal
- Niki Jensen, LZHS Division Head – Innovation & Pathways
- Sebastian Kapala, Lake County Tech Campus
- Carl Krause, LZHS College & Career Counselor
- Lucas Lindberg, MS Student
- Don Malin, Medline/Parent
- Eileen Maloney, Board of Education Member
- Jenna Moller, Learning & Innovation - LZHS
- Courtney Nordstrom, Parent
- Cara Obrochta, LZHS Assistant Principal – Student Services
- Vasili Russis, D95 Foundation Representative/Parent
- Magdalena Scanlan, Good Shepherd Hospital/Parent
- Sarah Stashkiw, College of Lake County
- Sohan Vuppala, HS Student
- Lisa Warren, Board of Education Member
- Ashley Weltler, LZHS Assistant Principal – Academics, Assessment, & Innovation
- Brittany Yates, LZHS Transition Teacher
- Hannah Zoibi, HS Student