During the October 5, 2023, school board meeting, South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) Superintendent Dr. Shawnterra Moore introduced a list of six priorities for the 2023-24 school year and informed the trustees of the district’s intention to pursue them with an eye toward equity.
“Educational equity is and always will be the through line for all of our priorities,” said Dr. Moore.
The priorities originated from community feedback generated through the district’s most recent strategic planning process, which culminated in June 2023 with a list of knowledge and skills designed to help SSFUSD students succeed after high school.
“Last year, we embarked upon a great effort to enlist and facilitate conversations and really hear feedback from our entire community,” said Dr. Moore, “and we heard a lot of great information specific to what our community wanted around the portrait of a graduate, but we decided we don’t need to wait until the finalization of the strategic plan, that there are some things we can take action on this year, while we are building the strategic plan.”
Those things or priorities include:
Academic Excellence. Strengthen collaborative cycles of inquiry at each school, with a focus on planning and teaching that foster student discourse and agency, improving tier 1 instruction, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality teaching and learning experiences for all students.
According to Dr. Moore, the focus of this priority would be to improve the quality of classroom instruction by making evidence-based decisions about teachers' instructional practices and by encouraging conversations among students to understand the type of teaching methods they prefer and the ways they want to learn.
Talent Management. Revamp recruitment and hiring practices through a DEIB lens; design, develop, and deliver a professional learning system that provides differentiated, targeted support based on employee strengths and areas of improvement.
Dr. Moore said the focus of this priority would be to refine the district’s recruitment practices, so that the district can attract and retain desirable employees, while also developing a system to provide training to teachers that will help them deliver high quality instruction to students.
Operational and Fiscal Stewardship. Develop deeper understanding of site-based needs to drive future budgeting, and begin facilities improvements based on the bond measure plan.
The focus of this priority would be to assess how best to allocate the district’s resources in such a manner, so that schools with the most vulnerable students receive the most benefit.
Community Engagement and Connectedness. Implement new systems to reduce chronic absenteeism, and deepen implementation of programs that support positive student culture.
The focus of this priority would be to reduce chronic absenteeism by finding ways to improve the sense of community at schools and make school more enjoyable.
Educational Equity. Develop a transformative, equity-centered multi-year strategic plan to make our Portrait of a Graduate a reality for all SSFUSD students.
Dr. Moore said the focus of this priority would be to make sure that students receive what they need when they need it, while removing barriers that prevent students from succeeding.
Culture and Communication. Implement practices that promote transparency, strong relationships, two-way communication, and data-driven decision-making.
Dr. Moore emphasized the importance of developing strong relationships and engaging in two-way communication and dialogue in order to make every student, employee, parent, and community member feel valued.
“I love this,” said Trustee Amanda Anthony. “I love that we have a process. I love that we have outcomes. . . I think that by focusing on these things. . .we will get closer to the goal that we want to see, which is a district that’s working for all kids.”
School Board President Chialin Hsieh concurred.
“I appreciate the nimbleness,” she said. “Every time when we have an opportunity, let’s implement something, so we can move a little bit every time.”
Former School Board President John Baker, who was in the audience, also offered a public comment.
Former School Board President John Baker, who was in the audience, also offered a public comment.
“I would like to see the next set of goals have some follow-up with our graduates to ensure we’re getting great outcomes, meaning successful young people, and not just great outputs with the number of diplomas.”
See below to learn more about the district’s priorities for the 2023-24 school year: