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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan for the Library Media Center

Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools

Cassie K. (teacher), Sharon K. (teacher), & Linda K. (LMS)

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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

Morris (2010) explains “planning is the bridge between the goals and the

actual work to be accomplished.” It “provides the groundwork for a good school media

program” (p. 156). “Strategic planning is a long term, visionary process that looks at the

future and makes plans to meet the needs students will have” (Crow, 2013, p. 5). To

complete this long term visionary process, Linda K., the library media specialist, Sharon

K., 3rd grade classroom teacher, and Cassie K., 3rd grade classroom teacher, sat down

to conduct an external scan, internal scan, and organizational analysis of Neligh-

Oakdale Public Schools. When finished it was clear that the school is doing well in a

variety of areas, as well as has areas in need of some improvements. Through this

process the hope is to focus on a few of the challenges and strive to improve them

through creating action plans.

External Scan

Social Trends. Technology plays a large role in the student’s school and home

life. At home many of them are constantly playing video games, texting, snap chatting,

on social media sites, and many other things involving screen-time. Research has

shown that this constant need for screen time can lead to children feeling board and

disengaged in the classroom because their brains are used to the high levels of

stimulation that video games and other screen time provides. “After hours of virtual

reality, processing information in a classroom has become increasingly challenging for

kids” (Jacqueline, 2017). It was noticed by both Sharon K. and Cassie K. that in the last

two school years (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) there has been an increase in the amount

of students living in a split family home (more than 60% of the 3rd graders, whereas the

previous two years were below 40%), many of which are constantly traveling between
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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

two households. Also, children are more involved in activities both in and outside of

school, which consequently is leading to students staying up later. Accordingly, students

are very tired in school which tends to lead to academic and behavioral problems.

Economic Trends. Neligh-Oakdale is one of many schools who have seen a

large decrease in the amount of federal and state government funding. In 2011/2012,

Neligh-Oakdale received $1,298,985 in state aid. Last year, 2016/2017, Neligh-Oakdale

received only $111 in state aid. This has had a drastic impact on the school district and

the community because as the state aid has decreased the tax request from the

community has significantly increased. Another vital economic trend for Neligh-Oakdale

is the discussion of the school merging with three neighboring schools. This is a hot

topic for the town and surrounding towns, as everyone has their own opinion. A factor

that tends to greatly affect the school is the fact that the town of Neligh has two

competing newspapers that are constantly trying to be the ‘first to report’, thus often

making the stories exaggerated or inaccurate sources of information. This tends to

make community members upset and causes businesses (including the school) to have

to defend themselves. In 2013, Neligh create a “Grow Neligh group”, which has helped

increase the number of local businesses, as well as giving existing businesses a chance

to remodel and apply for TIF money. A negative economic trend is Neligh’s poor quality

of housing. There are not many ‘quality’ houses to choose from, thus leading to citizens

having to look in surrounding towns to meet their housing needs.

Political Trends. In 2014 Nebraska adopted new ELA Standards that were

tested for the first time during the 2016/2017 school year. In 2017, Nebraska

implemented new K-12 Science Standards. The state of Nebraska adopted a new
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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

Nebraska State Assessment in 2017, choosing NWEA, a completely new testing

company from the previous NESA State test. As of November 2017, the test has still not

been completed, thus teachers and students are unaware of what to expect. In 2017,

the United States of America got a new president, which has brought forth a greater

division between citizens. Because of this, and many other factors, there is global

turmoil, war, and uncertainty.

Demographic Trends. The town of Neligh has had a steady decrease in

population since 2010 (1,623) to 2016 (1,527). For the 2017/2018 school year, Neligh-

Oakdale has seen a decrease in student enrollment, down 23 kids from the previous

2016-2017 school year. A number of factors may be playing a part in this decrease,

including a neighboring district building a brand new facility. Neligh has seen an

increase in the number of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Typically it

tends to have about 44% of the student population qualify, this year 52% qualified.

Summary. After completing the external scan, it was clear that the economic

trends have the greatest impact on the school. The extremely large decrease in state

funding has played a huge roll in the school as the small town now has only property

taxes to rely on. In the past, the citizens chose to not pass a school remodeling bond

which led to the State Fire Marshal shutting down part of the facility, ruling it unsafe for

students.

Internal Scan

Assessment. Neligh-Oakdale conducts a number of assessments throughout

the year including MAP testing once a year 2nd-12th grade, Quarterly STAR Math and

STAR Reading assessments 1st -6th grade, DIBELS testing (fall, winter, & spring)
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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

Kindergarten- 6th grade, ACT & SAT 11th Grade, and Nebraska State Assessment 3rd-

12th (previously NESA). In the past, elementary has always scored above the state

average on NESA in all areas except writing. The high school tends to struggle with

their math scores, yet tends to always score well in science. Every year Neligh-Oakdale

holds a special assembly to honor those kids who scored a perfect score. Last year

(2016/2017), Neligh-Oakdale had 7 perfect scores on the state tests. The new ELA

standards were tested on the 2017 NESA State Assessment and as a school, scores

greatly decreased, scoring below the state average.

Climate. The district strives for students and staff to be lifelong learners. It takes

pride in the small class sizes and the increased use of technology. The school is 1-1

with Lenovo laptop computers 7th-12th grade and 1-2 with iPads K-6th grade. Every

classroom also contains a promethean board and document camera. Some challenges

include a divided community on whether to consolidate with surrounding districts, a

bond for a school remodeling that previously failed, a new Superintendent, and divided

school board members with very different visions for the school district. In addition to,

the State Fire Marshal is now involved in the process of improving the outdated facility

after an anonymous caller contacted the fire marshal with concern of the safety of the

facility. Neligh-Oakdale currently has a five year plan in which they must complete

certain construction projects each year.

Standards. Neligh-Oakdale strives to master the Nebraska State standards and

the American Association of School Librarians Learner Standards. Neligh-Oakdale

works hard to stay up to date with the new standards as they are constantly being

revised.
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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

Curriculum. Neligh-Oakdale strives to align their curriculum with the Nebraska

State Standards. Because of scores on state testing, they have a math improvement

goal for 7th -12th grade. As a result, they adopted Saxon Math as the new math

curriculum for 7th – 12th grade. K-6th has been teaching Saxon Math for 7 years. Recent

scores have also led teachers to reanalyze the Language Arts curriculum for K- 6th

grade. They are still in the process of deciding which direction to go. Also, new for the

2017-2018 school year is the implementation of Marzano’s Model for Teaching

Effectiveness. Throughout the year teachers have participated in three professional

development training days.

Oragnizational Anaylsis

Strengths and Challenges of the School

Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools is doing all that they can do to ensure their staff

are lifelong learners with monthly professional development opportunities as well as a

school wide implementation of Marzano’s Model for Teaching Effectiveness. It

continues to have small class sizes PK-12 grade and an increase in the use of

technology for learning. Another strength at Neligh-Oakdale is how they are constantly

assessing students to determine growth and areas of improvement. Cassie K., Sharon

K., & Linda K. believe the discussion of the school merging with surrounding schools is

also a strength, as it can open many educational opportunities for the students.

A challenge that the district is facing is that not everyone in the community views

the discussion of the school merging with surrounding schools as a positive. There is a

clear division in community members on the future of the district. Another challenge it

faces is the outdated facility. Neligh-Oakdale is working hard to meet the State Fire
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Marshals expectations, but this can be a financial challenge, especially with the large

decrease in state aid. Next, an alarming concern is the decrease in the student

enrollment during the 2017/2018 school year. Finally, through the analysis of the

students’ performance on state testing, it is clear that elementary teachers need to

reanalyze their Language Arts curriculum and that middle and high School teachers

need to reanalyze their Math curriculum.

Strengths and Challenges of the School Library Program

The location of the Library Media Center is a strength as it is in a quiet location

with great lighting. Also, it is very beneficial that the ESU provides all of the students

with World Book Online. This is an amazing resource that would be a huge financial

expense if it were not offered to Neligh-Oakdale for free. Linda K. pointed out that the

school has a supported Accelerated Reading program 3rd -6th grade and how it really

reinforces the use of the library. She mentioned that the constant reminder to make their

AR goal ensures students visit the library. Finally, as teachers, Sharon K. and Cassie K.

find it a positive that they are able to maintain weekly library lessons K-3rd. During the

library lessons Linda K. is able to teach and reinforce some of the ELA State standards,

such as genres, author’s purpose, and parts of a story.

However, there are a number of challenges the Library Media Center faces.

Neligh-Oakdale is currently sharing one Library Media Specialist between two school

locations (K-2 Westward and 3-12 Eastward). Because of this the LMS is only at the

Westward location one afternoon a week. During the other days, Westward students

can only visit the Library with their classroom teacher. Neligh-Oakdale lacks a

paraprofessional to step in when the LMS traveling between schools. While at

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Eastward, the Librarian also teaches a High School reading class and has a homeroom

class at the end of the day. During these classes and while she is at Westward, the

Library is closed to students. In addition to, Administration refuses to hire a substitute

when LMS is gone. Some other challenges are that the Library has not been fully

weeded in over 7 years, the cost of books and on-line resources are continuing to

increase, and there is a lack of a partnership between Neligh-Oakdale’s LMS and

Neligh Public library. This lack of collaboration seems to affect the use of the public

library from elementary school students. They tend to ‘just wait until they get to back to

school’ rather than utilizing both facilities.

Vision Statement

The Neligh-Oakdale Public School libraries will provide learning resources and

informational materials through print, audio, and technology services that support and

improve student learning. The library will be a positive learning environment that is safe

and welcoming providing current resources to assist in creating lifelong learners.

The library media specialist with strive to create a collaborative relationship with

the staff, community members, and students, while demonstrating leadership and

knowledge in current trends, technology, and various areas of continuing education.

Education will be focused on meeting the Nebraska State Standards and the

American Association of School Librarians: Learner Standards, in addition to facilitating

students’ reading for pleasure.

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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

Mission Statement

The mission of the Neligh-Oakdale Library is to provide an environment where all

students will acquire the skills to become lifelong learners and productive citizens in a

diverse, technology-changing global society. In order to accomplish this Neligh-Oakdale

and the Librarian will:

 Continue to reanalyze curriculum needs.

 Continue to participate in professional development opportunities that will

assist in students’ growth.

 Increase professional staff and/or support staff for the school library.

 Continue to implement and utilize technology.

 Create partnerships with community and regional libraries and work

collaboratively.

Action Plans

1st Action Plan

Goal: To increase professional staff and/or support staff for the school library.

Action Steps:

o Review the recommendations and guidelines of the American Association of

School Librarians and the Nebraska Department of Education Rule 10 regarding

the availability of the library media area(s).

o Prepare a presentation to the Superintendent, enlightening him on how Neligh-

Oakdale is not meeting the AASL and Rule 10 recommendation 006.01A “Each
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school has a library media area(s) which is available to students during the entire

school day” (Nebraska Department of Education, 2012, p. 23). Include a variety

of recommendations for fixing this problem such as, increasing current staffing

and/or support staff, hiring a substitute when the librarian is absent, and

eliminating the use of the library as a classroom.

Schedule:

o Complete by January 2018 so projected budget can be presented to the

Negotiation School Board by the February 2018 board meeting. (this board

meeting is when budgeting is finalized for the 2018/2019 school year)

Resource Requirements:

o Superintendent’s presentation of additional staff including projected increase in

budget to present to board members. If approved by board, support staff will

need to be hired or allocated.

Anticipated Student Outcomes:

o Students (K-12) will benefit from unlimited availability to resources during

school hours.

o The increase of access will facilitate students’ in becoming lifelong learners

and developing a love for reading.

2nd Action Plan

Goal: To create partnerships with community and regional libraries and work

collaboratively.
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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

Action Steps:

o Reach out to the Neligh Public Library to collaboratively create events and

build a strong partnership. Strive to partner together on a Summer Reading

Program.

o Contact surrounding school libraries and public libraries to meet quarterly,

sharing ideas and enhancing the needs of the youth within the communities.

Schedule:

o Get in contact with surrounding libraries by December 2017 in order to effectively

have a few meetings during the 2017-2018 school year and possibly partner

together for a 2018 Summer Reading Program.

Resources Requirements:

o Find contact information for public library and surrounding libraries, determine a

time and location for meetings, complete an agenda of what to accomplish during

meetings.

Anticipated Student Outcome:

o Together, the librarians will better serve the needs of the children and youth

within the community. “There are no limitations to what can be accomplished

when media specialist and public librarians work together” (p. 488).

o Students would have more reading events and opportunities to be involved in.

o A summer reading program would be very beneficial to students.

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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

The first action plan “to increase professional staff and/or support staff for the

school library” was the highest priority because it is important to first work on the

problems within the school and strengthen the communication before contacting others

outside the school. Students need unlimited access to resources in order to acquire the

skills to become lifelong learners. This action plan has the greatest anticipated impact

for the students, which should be the first priority.

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Developing a Vision: Strategic Plan

References

American Association of School Librarians: Transforming Learners. (2017). Learner

Standards. Chicago: American Library Association.

Crow, S. R. (2013). Developing a Vision: Strategic planning study guide. Retrieved from

https://canvas.unk.edu/courses/4789/pages/week-12-the-planning-process

Jacqueline- Deep Roots At Home. (August 18, 2017). Reasons today’s kids are bored

at school, feel entitled, have little patience & few real friends. Retrieved from

http://deeprootsathome.com/kids-bored-entitled/

Morris, B. J. (2010). Administering the school library media center. Santa Barbara, CA:

Libraries Unlimited.

Nebraska Department of Education (2012). Rule 10: Regulations and procedures for the

accreditations of schools. Retrieved from http://govdocs.nebraska.gov