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The Way Forward
Attention to the five areas of unity, standardization,
alignment, funding, and facilities, will increase our ability to
deliver excellence across the District.
Unity
Bringing us together will benefit everyone¾
particularly our students. The byword is cooperation throughout
the organization. A commitment to cooperation in good faith will
result in our building a community of mutual respect. Unity will
enable us to make progress beyond that of any individual’s
capacity. It will also enable us to work from a position of
strength in the community and beyond.
Standardization
Standardization can make life easier for many, simplify legal
responsibilities, and save time, money, and energy. If the
system is more efficient and less confusing, students will
benefit. The District needs to address different approaches that
are used to accomplish similar, or the same, goals. For example,
there are presently two different applications for admissions to
our colleges. The systems that drive our operations should be as
straightforward as possible.
Alignment
Aligning our curriculum will assist students in reaching
their educational goals efficiently. Removing barriers to
student success will mean new opportunities for students to
benefit from our offerings at both colleges. Our high classroom
standards and commitment to leading—edge methodologies for
instruction must be reflected in alignment. Our requirements and
processes must help students learn, graduate, transfer, obtain
employment, and improve their lives. If we are to be driven by
our desire to obtain the most beneficial student outcomes, we
must make sure our operations are in line with our purposes.
Funding
Equitable funding is a necessity for the District and the
colleges. We need to have our priorities in order so that our
case is clear when we request more dollars. The District’s
funding formula will support two independently accredited
colleges, but part of our problem lies in the State’s fiscal
formulas. We must be diligent in seeking resolution to the
inequities in the state funding.
Facilities
Our learning environment must be able to reasonably
accommodate current students while anticipating future student
needs. Educational and facility master plans must be completed
and their initial implementation underway this year. This will
ensure our readiness for all state funding possibilities for new
and improved facilities. Because our needs are great, we should
also explore local financing opportunities, including
public/private partnerships.
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