January 2007
Dear WSSD Community,
I am pleased to present this introduction of the Strategic Plan for The Waldorf School of San Diego. I look forward, along with the board, faculty and administration, to working together with you to see this plan come to fruition.
What is our Strategic Plan?
In the same way that a for-profit business develops and works with a business plan, a nonprofit organization develops a Strategic Plan that is a commitment to accomplishing its key goals within a stated time frame, as well as a description of how those goals will be accomplished.
Our Strategic Plan outlines our school’s goals for the next five years. The plan has two over-arching goals and a number of objectives which break down the specific tasks associated with each goal.
Our Strategic Plan is a living document. It will be renewed and rewritten every year to identify any new required tasks and to accommodate any necessary changes.
Our Strategic Plan is the map that we will follow as we continue to develop and improve our school.
How was it developed? Who was involved?
In the past year, WSSD teachers, parents, board members and administration recognized that our school was ready to grow its campus and expand its curriculum. New land had been purchased, the school’s high school development process was underway, and the commitment of our parent body was solid.
The school’s board hired Catherine Spear from C. Spear and Associates to guide our development of a Strategic Plan. Ms. Spear is a consultant specializing in fundraising and organizational development; she has worked with many private schools and other nonprofit organizations in the development of their strategic plans and capital campaign efforts, including several Waldorf Schools.
Under the direction of Ms. Spear, a committee was formed to create the Strategic Plan. The committee consisted of 23 people, including representatives from our parent body, board, faculty, high school initiative group, and administration. That group met throughout the fall to complete our Strategic Plan.
How will our Strategic Plan be used?
The Strategic Plan is intended to unify and direct our school’s phenomenal growth plans over the next five years. The WSSD board will review the document each month to insure that every required task is successfully underway. By committing to the plan, we are undertaking part of the necessary preparation our school requires for its first Capital Campaign. That Capital Campaign will provide the funding necessary to meet our ambitious goals.
What is next?
Because it is our intention for the entire school community to have ownership of the Strategic Plan and to participate earnestly in its implementation, we request that each and every parent in our community read through the Strategic Plan.
Please contact Siri Jostad (Board President) or Nathan Wilcox (Director of High School Development) with questions or ideas about the Strategic Plan. We are eager for your input.
Sincerely,
Siri Kay Jostad
President, Board of Trustees
Member, WSSD Strategic Planning Committee