Final

da VInci Schools

Board Retreat

Published on September 20, 2026 at 8:33 PM EDT

Date and Time

Tuesday September 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM EDT

Location

daVinci Middle School/High School

The Board Meeting is a meeting of the members of the board to discuss and make decisions on financial matters, governance and goals.  As a Public Board Meeting, the public is welcome, and attendees have the right to speak at the public comment portion of the meeting.  Public comment can be restricted to three minutes, and can be limited based on the number of people requesting to speak.

 

VISION: 

Students Empowered for Personal Success


 

MISSION: 

Fostering a community that will empower every student to realize their potential.


 

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 5:30 PM
  A. Record Attendance   1 m
  B. Call the Meeting to Order  
II. Purpose and Desired Outcomes
 

Purpose

To provide the Board of Education with focused time to reflect on district priorities, identify the most important areas for Board-level leadership, and develop 3–5 measurable Board goals that support student success and the district’s mission and vision.

 

Desired Outcomes

By the end of the retreat, the Board will:

  • Identify the district’s most important priorities.
  • Clarify the Board’s role in addressing those priorities.
  • Establish 3–5 draft Board goals.
  • Identify preliminary measures of success.
  • Agree on next steps for finalizing, communicating, and monitoring the goals.

 

  
III. Welcome & Retreat Purpose
 
  • Welcome and introductions
  • Review purpose and desired outcomes
  • Establish discussion norms

Opening Reflection:

“If we are successful as a Board this year, what will be different for our students, staff, families, and community?”

  
IV. Where Are We Now?
 

Brief District Data & Priorities Review

 

  • Student achievement and growth
  • Attendance and engagement
  • School climate and student well-being
  • Staffing
  • Enrollment
  • Financial/facilities considerations
  • Family and community engagement
  • Current strategic-plan priorities

Discussion Questions:

  • What are we doing well?
  • What concerns us most?
  • Where do we see the greatest opportunity?
  • What does the data tell us our students need most?
  
V. Board Reflection & Priority Identification
 

Board members independently identify their top three priorities.

 

Prompt:

“What are the 3 most important outcomes this Board should focus on over the next 12 months?”

Board members share responses.

The facilitator records all proposed priorities and groups similar ideas together.

 

Potential Priority Areas:

  • Student achievement
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Attendance
  • Student engagement
  • School climate and belonging
  • Equity and access
  • Special education
  • Staff recruitment and retention
  • Financial sustainability
  • Facilities
  • Technology
  • Family/community engagement
  • College and career readiness
  
VI. What Is the Board's Role?
 

For each major priority, ask:

 

  1. Is this a Board-level priority?
  2. Does it align with our mission and vision?
  3. Will it have a meaningful impact on students?
  4. Can the Board reasonably monitor progress?
  5. What should the Board do, and what should be delegated to the superintendent and staff?

Key Principle:

The Board establishes direction, sets expectations, allocates resources, and monitors results. The superintendent and staff lead implementatio

  
VII. Develop & Prioritize Board Goals
 

Using the identified priorities, the Board develops potential goals.

Each goal should answer:

What do we want to accomplish?
Why does it matter?
How will we know we are making progress?

  
VIII. Finalize Priorities & Accountability
 

For each goal, determine:

  • Goal
  • Measure
  • Target
  • Timeline
  • Monitoring schedule
  
IX. Closing & Next Steps
 

Closing Reflection:

“What is the one commitment we must make as a Board to ensure these goals become meaningful outcomes for students?”

Next Steps

 

  1. Board reviews and finalizes goals.
  2. Goals are formally adopted, as appropriate.
  3. Goals are communicated to staff, families, and the community.
  4. Progress is reviewed at regular Board meetings.
  5. Board conducts a mid-year and end-of-year review of progress.
  
X. Closing Items
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote

Copies of the meeting minutes are available for public inspection within 8 business days for proposed minutes and 5 business days for approved minutes. They can be accessed at da Vinci High School, 2985 Springport Road, Jackson.

 

 da Vinci Schools shall comply with subtitle A of Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336, 42 USC & 12101 et seq. or any successor law disabilities that will allow anyone to fully participate in Academy Board meetings. Should you require specific accommodations, please contact Erika Samons prior to the scheduled meeting.