SAN BENITO — The San Benito school district is nearing the end of its second year in its Re-Imagine 2021 Plan.
In 2015 the district rolled out a comprehensive road map for where the board wanted the district to be in 2021.
The plan targets five distinct sections of the district including facilities, finance, curriculum, public relations and student grade levels.
Each factor of the plan contains five key priorities the district wants to accomplish and goals to reach at the end of each year over the next five years.
Nearing the end of year two of the plan, during a school board meeting Superintendent Nate Carman addressed the progress the district has made and if they have accomplished what they set out to in the 2017-2018 school year.
Though the district had administration changes with hiring a new superintendent, the district also saw structural and visual changes such as the approval of the new STEAM Academy and a new website.
CURRICULUM and INSTRUCTION
WHAT’S NEW: Approval of new STEAM Academy
Incorporating technology and STEAM learning has been a top priority for the district.
The approval of a STEAM Academy for the upcoming school year has led the district to apply for a state STEM designation leaving them on par with where they wanted to be.
FINANCE
WHAT’S NEW: Full day pre-kindergarten program
Last year the district worked to establish the framework and evaluate financial resources to implement a full day pre-kindergarten program.
The district opened a full day pre-kindergarten program for qualifying students to academically prepare them for kindergarten.
The district is currently in the process of evaluating the sustainability of the program.
FACILITIES
WHAT’S NEW: Closure of two elementary schools to create first STEAM Academy and permanent location for Positive Redirection Center
One of the struggles the district had to face this year was appropriate use of current facilities.
With the decline in student population in the younger grade levels and dealing with a larger high school population, the district needed to find a way to maximize space.
The district closed two elementary campuses to create a STEAM academy and provide effective space for the Positive Redirection Center and the Gateway to Graduation academy.
P-20
WHAT’S NEW: Dual enrollment courses for all high school students
District officials met with representatives from Texas A&M University-Kingsville to work to provide dual enrollment courses for all high school students.
The meeting was part of the district’s goal to create a network with colleges and eliminate barriers for post-secondary success by providing college credit courses.
The district also created a push to form a curriculum that focused on post-secondary readiness for students as young as pre-kindergarten based on research conducted last year.
COMMUNICATIONS and PUBLIC RELATIONS
WHAT’S NEW: New website launched
The district has seen a lot of change on the image and social media side of things.
In September the district launched a new user-friendly website that is compatible with mobile devices.
The release of the new website put the district on track for its year two goal to modernize and update its image.
In addition to the website, the district station created a lineup of shows dedicated to bringing information to community members and stakeholders and started uploading board meetings making them accessible to residents.
