Chester School District

SAU 82, Chester, NH

Community Relationships and Engagement

Goal: Implement a consistent, transparent communication strategy that keeps staff, families, and community members informed about district initiatives, School Board work, and key decisions while promoting meaningful community engagement.

• Expand use of SchoolMessenger to allow community members (beyond current families) to subscribe to district news and announcements.
• Continue monthly district updates for Chester Academy families and community members, distributed via email and posted on the district website, including highlights of student learning, district initiatives, and Board actions.
• Communicate proactively throughout the year about key planning and governance milestones, including the Capital Improvement Plan (September), Tax Cap Ballot Article (November), School Board budget development (December), Budget Committee Public Hearing (January), and Annual School District Meeting (March), to encourage informed community participation.
• Maintain timely communication through multiple platforms, including the district website, SchoolMessenger, and other district communication channels, to ensure stakeholders have access to current information.

Staff Culture, Climate, and Retention

Goal: Develop and implement a framework for monitoring staff culture, climate, and retention to support a positive work environment and guide continuous improvement.

• Identify a set of key indicators to monitor staff culture and retention including staff climate survey(s).
• Monitor staff recruitment, retention, vacancies, and exit interview themes.
• Continue periodic staff feedback opportunities (e.g., stay conversations) to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Present staff culture and/or retention data to the School Board at least twice annually and use findings to inform district priorities.

Legislative Advocacy and Engagement

Goal: Develop collaborative relationships with state legislators to communicate the Chester School District's perspectives and needs while keeping the School Board and community informed about state legislative issues and their impact on local education.

• Maintain regular communication with local state legislators to share district priorities, successes, challenges, and the potential impact of proposed legislation.
• Monitor state legislative activity affecting public education and provide periodic updates to the School Board.
• Invite legislators to visit Chester Academy to gain firsthand knowledge of district programs, students, and needs.
• Communicate significant legislative developments and their anticipated impact on district operations, funding, and educational programs to staff and the community.
• Collaborate with educational organizations and neighboring school districts, when appropriate, to support informed advocacy on issues affecting public education.

Data-Informed Governance

Goal: Establish a district dashboard that provides the School Board with meaningful, timely data to monitor progress toward Board priorities while supporting implementation of district goals.

• The Superintendent will develop and maintain a district dashboard aligned with Board priorities and district goals.
• The dashboard will include key measures that support monitoring progress toward Board priorities and district goals, including student achievement and organizational health measures.
• The Superintendent will present dashboard data to the School Board on a regular basis to monitor progress, identify trends, and support informed decision-making.
• The Superintendent and School Board will annually review the dashboard to ensure measures remain relevant, meaningful, and aligned with district priorities and goals.