Carroll ISD presented updates to its strategic plan during its May 6 school board meeting. The plan guides school district leaders in their decision-making process.

Administrators and school principals have been working together for the past month on the strategic plan, updating it to include initiatives that are in-progress, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Janet McDade said.

The most notable initiative is CISD’s recently formed diversity council, said Julie Thannum, assistant superintendent for board and community relations.

The council was charged to form recommendations to improve cultural competence in the school district after a video was posted by students using racial slurs last year.

The diversity council met May 2 and provided feedback on the student code of conduct, school board Vice President Michelle Moore said. Administrators are working to compile that input.

School administrators have also been working on the introduction of an enriched after-school care program.

"That's our Spanish after-school program we've had this year, and actually they are finishing ... and wrapping that up this week," McDade said.

McDade is set to meet with administrators later this week to determine success of that program and its potential continuation.

Other student development-oriented initiatives include increasing experiential learning programs by expanding internship opportunities and career and technical education curriculum.

“Most of our internships that you’ll see happen in our career and technology classes,” McDade said.

Participation in the school district's science, technology, engineering and mathematics program has increased, and internships are available for STEM-program students and for those enrolled in the Carroll Medical Academy, McDade said.

CISD is also focused on conducting a districtwide survey on student stress levels and, because of the competitive nature in schools, developing a student support system by educating parents, teachers and community members on how to help students cope in that competitive setting, according to the updated plan.

The district is also working on a community mentoring program to benefit at-risk students.

“Our campus principals and counselors have worked very hard to bring in mentors … and student-to-student mentors,” McDade said.

More information about completed projects and ongoing work can be found here.