Saint Paul Public Schools

Strategic Plan Development and Program Review

The Opportunity: SPPS serves a multicultural population of approximately 39,000 students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 who speak more than 125 languages. SPPS radiates a multicultural energy that prepares students to be successful in the global economy. About 32% of students are Asian; 22% Caucasian; 30% African American, 14% Latino/Hispanic and 2% American Indian. Students whose home language is not English comprise 31% of the student population. Approximately 72% of students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch.  Following the appointment of a new superintendent, GSG was engaged to facilitate district leadership in developing a strategic plan.

Our Services: The GSG team conducted the following activities to support the leadership in strategy development:

  • Reviewed stakeholder perceptions gathered during the superintendent search, and through Listen and Learn sessions during the superintendent’s first 100 days

  • Analyzed data on district performance and developed presentations for the board and community

  • Facilitated a strategy design session to develop the key elements of a future strategic direction

  • Developed a process for testing the strategic direction among all stakeholders, including training district staff as session facilitators, and reviewing and categorizing all input

  • Provided coaching and research support for district leaders in developing strategic initiatives to address areas of strategic focus

  • Trained and supported staff teams to develop detailed action plans for a set of priority strategic initiatives

  • Provided guidance and support to district leadership in creating performance indicators and a monitoring process to manage implementation.

  • Following strategic plan approval, GSG conducted an indepth review of all district-led programs and facilitated the leadership team to make decisions about future resource allocations in alignment with the strategic plan.

Results: Information on the Saint Paul Public Schools strategic planning process and resulting plan can be found at here.