Superintendent's Message
Welcome to the Coos Bay School District and the 2023-2024 school year. We are excited for another great year focused on ensuring that Each Student Thrives.
This year we are launching the first year of our 4-year strategic plan, called the Coos Bay School District 2023-2026 Strategic and Integrated Guidance Plan. Last year, the district engaged in an extensive community engagement and strategic planning process to develop this plan.
I would like to thank everyone who participated in and shared their thoughts in developing the strategic plan. After reviewing data and the extensive student, community and staff input we collected, the district’s Strategic Planning Committee drafted a plan that reflects the community’s vision and priorities for the district with specific, obtainable goals, objectives, strategies, and outcome measures that we will focus on achieving together during the next four years. The plan is also being used to meet the requirements of the Oregon Department of Education’s Integrated Guidance initiative that combines six current state programs into one plan.
The School Board then adopted the plan, and our vision is that “Each student completes high school prepared and inspired for the future.” Our mission is to “Ensure each student thrives in an inclusive high-quality learning environment.” From our mission statement, we developed our new motto Each Student Thrives. This motto captures the priorities for our students: each student in Coos Bay will not only be academically successful, but also feel safe and welcome in our schools, thrive as they grow up here in Coos Bay, and be prepared for whatever they aspire to accomplish after high school.
The strategic plan identifies four goals:
1. Positive Learning Environment: Each student feels safe and supported.
2. Ensure Learning: Each Student is prepared for academic success.
3. Multiple pathways for completion: Each student has multiple high-quality options for high school completion.
4. District Stewardship: District staff and resources are administered effectively, in partnership with our community.
As I reflect on these goals, what resonates with me is how aligned the first three goals are to an overriding belief for our students: we need to know each student’s name, need, and dream. Goal 1 focuses on making sure every student feels safe and supported. A shorthand for this is knowing each student’s “Name,” and ensuring strong relationships so that every student has at least one trusted adult in their lives. For Goal 2, the focus is on ensuring that each student is prepared for academic success, and knowing each student’s “Need” in order to be successful. The third student goal focuses on providing each student multiple pathways for successful completion of high school. This is the work we are doing to help each student explore their “Dream” and be prepared to be successful in whatever next step they want to take after high school, whether that be to enter the military, go to college or go directly into the workforce.
For the fourth goal, the district will continue to strive to maintain excellent stewardship of our valuable resources. Most importantly, we will continue our efforts to recruit and retain high quality staff members. This year, we are also revising the district’s long-range facilities plan to ensure we maintain our state-of-the art facilities that the community has so generously supported. We are deeply thankful for our strong community partnerships and will continue to foster them. I am proud to be part of such a supportive and generous community for our children and schools.
As we move forward, I want to continue listening and building strong relationships with students, families, staff, and the community. If you have ideas, concerns, or thoughts about the future of Coos Bay School District, please let me know. I can be reached via email at [email protected].
Go Pirates!
Charis McGaughy, PhD
Superintendent
Superintendent