Does this Meet Your Expectations?

Thoughts on the framework you asked for...

Cascade has spoken - and has spoken clearly. The School Board has articulated your priorities into four Core Objectives and, after receiving feedback from you and your neighbors, adopted them. They are: Core Academics; CTE and Vocational Pathways; Communication and Critical Thinking; and Life Skills. These form the foundation of the school moving forward. Now that the foundation is in place, it’s time to construct the structural components that will support success — as defined by our customers (families) and owners (the community). You told us what you expect, and now the Board—your panel of “expert citizens”—gets to merge the overarching framework of your expectations into the institution’s systems and outcomes they produce.

You can think of governance through the analogy of building a home: the Vision, Values, and Core Objectives are the foundation. These are examples of potential structural (load-bearing) elements, which—like the foundation—are akin to governance: the walls, floors, and roof components. What comes after these elements are the interior floor plan, finishes, decorations, windows and doors — in other words, the educational activities — all of which exist within the structural framework (governance). The district’s hired subject matter experts get to decide on those items, but the community—through the Board you elected (or allowed into office)—is responsible for ensuring the framework reflects your expectations. If we succeed in getting the framework correct, our community’s vision and objectives are destined to succeed.

Enough background information—let’s get to the point: I’ve made an attempt to articulate a framework which I believe aligns well with the community’s will, most specifically around Career Technical Education. I have requested it be on the agenda for the June 11, 2025, 6:00pm Board meeting as an action item, as programs—specifically a CTE program—can take years to develop and implement. Waiting hurts kids, families, and our community, long-term. The world is changing faster than ever, and education needs to stay relevant. I want your constructive feedback and suggestions so that we can move forward confidently. I have copied and pasted a link to the agenda item so take a quick break, get comfortable, and then review. It’s about a ten-minute read. When you’re done, come back and answer two questions below. You can always comment on this post or contact me directly for a more in depth conversation, if desired.

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Thank you for sticking with me this far. Education—even in small towns—is a complex topic. It is not easily examined in a brief conversation, so the conversations must be ongoing in order to be meaningful or productive. If you believe that this framework does not meet the community’s collective expectations, please contact me to discuss any changes you believe would better align with our community’s shared goals.

Until next time!