Wednesday, May 11, 2022
MYSP survey results show board progressing towards goals
Data from April’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) online survey has been compiled and shows Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is moving in a positive direction in the four priority areas: Excellence in Communication; Excellence in Relationships; Excellence in Teaching and Learning; and Excellence in Innovation.
Trustee Bill Steer, who chairs the MYSP Committee, presented a progress report to trustees at last night’s Board meeting. “The MYSP Committee and the Board will continue to identify additional numerical data points that will assess various aspects of our educational operations through the intent of the MYSP. The MYSP progress report is the next step in applying the plan,” he said.
The April survey gathered responses from staff, parents/guardians, students and community partners.
Baseline data was taken from internal sources and stakeholder interviews with Nanos Research, Ministry of Education special advisors and Ramsay Partners Inc. prior to development of the MYSP.
Respondents to the April survey overwhelmingly believed that the volume of communication from NNDSB had increased in the past two years, and almost 79 per cent of respondents were able to find all or most of the information they were looking for.
The majority of respondents (89 per cent) agree that NNDSB schools have innovative programs and 89 per cent agree that the board offers excellence in teaching and learning.
The survey responses also provided the board with some goals for improvement and next steps to continue building confidence with stakeholders. Among identified improvements are web pages for literacy and numeracy content, increasing understanding of where information may be found, investigating innovative options for students who live in areas of declining enrolment, and increasing opportunities for stakeholders to be heard and to increase community involvement in schools.
“The reliable saying ‘you can’t manage what you can’t measure’ holds true,” says Board Chair Jay Aspin. “Our MYSP Committee is developing both qualitative and quantitative measures to assist us with full measures to assess the progress of our recently created MYSP. Qualitative data has been developed from our pupils, employees, parents, partners and the public. Our board is very pleased with this data produced from this survey as it reflects the tremendous transition the board has undergone by establishing meaningful strategic goals then assessing delivery of these goals,” he says.
In addition to presenting the qualitative data from the survey, the MYSP progress report also shared quantitative information that outlines how NNDSB is working in all four priority areas to support the student, school, department and board improvement plans.
Accomplishments in the past year include improved and faster access to assistive technology for students, expanded course offering for all students through online learning, summer programs to help mitigate gaps due to COVID-19 disruptions, dedicated staff to support Indigenous education, optimized experiential learning opportunities and enhanced relationships with community partners via the equity advisory circle, as one example.
Director of Education Craig Myles said the MYSP survey gave stakeholders the opportunity to share feedback, while providing valuable information to NNDSB staff about progress and next steps.
“It’s vital that we keep lines of communication open with all stakeholder groups. The board needs to know how people feel about what we are doing,” says Myles. “The survey responses allowed us to assess how we are doing and provide direction to implement strategies focused on improvement.”
Here is the link to the full progress report with more details, data and accomplishments.
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For more information, please contact:
Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca
