by KIM HILSENBECK
The Hays CISD Board of Trustees heard a presentation on Monday by Superintendent Jeremy Lyon on the district’s Strategic Plan, now in year three.
The five-year plan, rolled out in 2010, encompasses six core strategies to accomplish the district’s overall mission, including one of Lyon’s main areas of focus: student health and wellness.
Under Strategy 2, the district “will remove barriers to student performance by assessing physical, social and emotional needs and providing necessary supports.”
Lyon said the district has accomplished the following on that strategy:
• Conducted geo-mapping to determine areas with the most need for targeted help with obesity and a community-input obesity summit in May
• Introduced a Physical Education every-day pilot program at two elementary schools
• Implemented the CATCH curriculum
• Opened a $780,000 WELL clinic facility
• Supported healthy food options, including meals, snacks, fundraisers and concessions
• Returned to middle school classes dressing for PE
• Expanding the existing Pre-K program
Lyon said he also wants the board to consider expanding the summer fitness camp program introduced this past year.
Under Strategy 3, “create an employee-friendly organization based on the ideals of trust and communication,” Lyon updated the board on the following accomplishments:
• Revising the pay grade schedule for all employees.
• Finalizing Hays Healthwise – an employee development and growth model that includes rewards and incentives for employees.
• Developing an efficient system of communication.
Lyon asked the board, “Is it possible to over-communicate?” He then answered his own question, “No.”
The district will again participate in an employee and community survey to gauge satisfaction among its audiences. Tim Savoy, Hays CISD spokesperson, said the schedule will be similar to the 2011-2012 timetable where surveying will take place in late March.
In addition, Lyon said Savoy and his team have implemented a new Customer Service Care Center.
“We now have a database that tracks issues when they come in. Cases are not closed until there is resolution,” he said.
