School board reviews new value system

New values for the Cape Girardeau school district will raise accountability and provide new moral standards for the 2003-2004 year, say school board members.

The board met for the second time this month to discuss next year's mission, vision and values Monday night, although a final vote will not take place until June.

Board members narrowed down an original list of 20 values and then divided them into six categories, including safety, trust, individuality, exceptional staff, collaboration and educated decision making.

The process is one the district goes through each year but has been revamped for the coming school year in order to create alignment with the missions, visions and values of individual schools in the district.

"This will be a litmus test for a lot of our decisions," said board member Sharon Mueller. "This document will hold us accountable in ways we've never been held accountable before."

Unlike in past years, the board is not initially considering adopting specific goals, but is instead following a process known as professional learning communities. Under that process, the mission represents why the district exists; the vision represents what the district hopes to become; the values are how people in the district must behave in order to make the vision a reality.

'Moral compass'

"I think these values will translate into expectations," said board member Tim Arbeiter. "They'll provide a moral compass."

The proposed values include treating one another with respect, kindness and a sense of importance; attract, stimulate and retain the best personnel; be attentive to the unique needs and inherent worth of all; be open to the exchange of ideas; and make judgments based on observable and measurable results.

Superintendent Mark Bowles said the document will be something board members can base decisions on.

"This is a document we need to be able to refer to. It needs to be fairly encompassing," Bowles said.

The board may send the document out to some staff members and district patrons for input before the final vote in June.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128