The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education has moved forward with a strategic plan for the district. During a meeting this past week, trustees approved a document worked out with the help of the Michigan Association of School Boards that lays out the beliefs, vision, mission, and goals for the Benton Harbor Area Schools School district. The language came out of an eight hour retreat with about 40 members of the community. Trustee Trenton Bowens was pleased to see everyone come together.
“That atmosphere was inspiring,” Bowens said. “The excitement, the energy. Then you looked up on social media and the energy was on social media. People left feeling like – let’s be real – a lot of people have lost hope, and people left there feeling like they can believe again and we can restore that pride.”
Superintendent Andrae Townsel recommended drafting the strategic plan last year, saying it will guide the district as it seeks to improve and be second to none. It covers the areas of academics, learning environment, facilities and operations, communications, and personnel and leadership. It’s a living document that will be updated. The plan says the district’s mission is “to educate, guide, and inspire students by developing their skills and knowledge to be globally competitive.”
