(From AISD)

In cooperation with Austin Voices for Education and Youth, we would like to extend a special
invitation to you to attend two important upcoming events. As you may know, AISD has started
work on a new strategic plan focused on providing all students with a high quality education and
preparing them for success in college, career, and life in a competitive global economy. Your
input is greatly valued in informing the development of a plan that will drive future budget
decisions and establish clear indicators to track our progress over time.
The process for gathering community input started last spring when over 400 ordinary citizens
participated in over 30 community conversations in their own neighborhoods (“Our Voice, Our
Vision, Our Schools”). The priorities identified in these conversations helped shape the initial
strategic planning of district leaders, and now it is time to take the next step.
We would like to recruit at least 150 parents, students, community members, and AISD staff
who will commit to helping shape and ultimately supporting this plan. And we would like you to
be one of those partners. As a partner, we are asking you to attend two additional community
conversations to help shape the proposed plan. The first meeting will be on September 22, 2009
from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Travis High School Cafeteria, located at 1211 East Oltorf. The first
conversation will be to gain input on a proposed framework for the strategic plan, including the
Mission, Vision, Values, Goals, Strategies, and Measurable Outcomes. (The agenda for this
meeting and the proposed framework are attached.) The second conversation will be in
October, with the exact date, time, and location to be announced soon. The second
conversation will be to gain input on a complete draft of the strategic plan.
We expect our partner group to truly represent the diversity of the Austin community. The group
is open to anyone, but we ask that you attend both conversations. There is no cost, but we ask
that you pre-register to attend the meetings, which will help us make all the necessary
preparations. The conversations will include question and answer periods with district
leadership, but most of the time will be spent in small group discussions. Each group will have a
listener/recorder who will take your feedback directly to the Strategic Plan Task Force, which is
specifically charged with preparing the strategic plan.
To pre-register for the community conversations, please go to the strategic plan website
at: http://www.austinisd.org/inside/initiatives/strategic_plan/
Please note that if you are unable to attend the community conversations, we would still greatly
appreciate your input. Opportunities for online input will be available at the above website.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Joey Crumley of the Office of Planning and
Community Relations at 414-9961 or jcrumley@austinisd.org.