Taconic Hills Strategic Plan
for the 2024-2027 school years
Dear Members of the Taconic Hills School District and Community,
It has never been more important to be focused, aligned and intentional in our school district in order for every student to find success. Creating a Strategic Plan provides a clear roadmap for our district’s vision, mission and long term goals. The plan serves as a guide for decision-making, fiscal responsibility and continuous improvement.
We are very excited to share the results of our collaborative efforts to develop plans that will help us to continue growing and improving as we always strive for excellence. Our “Blueprint for Excellence” is the result of planning sessions that were held with our Board of Education, Leadership Team, staff, parents, and community members.
We worked with feedback gathered from the community this summer as we developed a plan that establishes our unified understanding of our district’s overall purpose and what we aim to achieve for students, staff and the community.
This plan will be the backbone for our work. It will serve as a roadmap in our efforts to connect with each child and family while enhancing our connections as a school and a community. Lastly, it provides a space to shape the direction of our district, listening to all voices and encouraging ongoing reflection and adjustment to meet the needs of our students.
Thank you for your feedback and support. Your collaboration and teamwork make all the difference in the lives of children and the success of the district. We’re in this together and look forward to being your teammate in our continued effort to be a model school of excellence.
Sincerely,
Lynnette Brunger
Superintendent of Schools
Strategic Plan Participants
Lynnette Brunger, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Sandra Gardner, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum
Dr. Jennifer Eraca, Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Dr. Michael Teator, Grades 7-12 Principal
Laura Backlund, Grades PreK-2 Principal
Mary D’Amico, Grades 3-6 Principal
Darby Dellea, Grades 7-12 Assistant Principal
Ashley DuBois, School Business Executive
Nicholas Smith, Director of Facilties
Bobbie-Jo Mato, Transportation Supervisor
John Dodds, Coordinator of Computer Technology
Kyle Mattler, Food Services Director
Bonnie Torchia, Board of Education President
Richard Viebrock, Board of Education Vice President
Heidi Beneke-Main, Board of Education Member
Joseph Costa, Board of Education Member
Molly Delaney, Board of Education Member
Jeanine Earnhart, Board of Education Member
Margaret Hallisey, Board of Education Member
Ronald Morales, Board of Education Member
Karen Regina, District Data Coordinator & District Registrar
Frederick Hutchinson, Jr High English Teacher
Ryan Proper, Technology Integration Specialist
Karen Knobel, Teaching Assistant
Jacquelyn Coon-Huston, Special Education Consultant
James Carabis, AIS Literacy Teacher
Jennifer Jamieson, Sr High English Teacher
Barbara Flouton, Special Education Consultant
Matthew Fuller, Sr High Science Teacher
Beth Flores, Literacy Specialist
Katy Rodriguez, Literacy Teacher
Mara Bove, Special Education Teacher
Our Next Steps and Accountability
Timeframe | Activity | Who |
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September 2024 |
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2024-2025 Quarterly |
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February/March 2025 |
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June 2025 |
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July 2025 |
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Spring 2026 |
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Spring 2027 |
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About Blueprint Strategic Planning Services
Practical, Focused, Collaborative, Meaningful. A simplified process that will help your organization get to where you want to be.
The Blueprint for Excellence© Strategic Planning Service is a straightforward strategic planning process that includes all members of the school community and reflects their shared perspectives. Throughout the process, community feedback and data are reviewed in order to guide all aspects of work in the organization with a focus on increasing student learning and improving stakeholder engagement.
We focus on helping school leaders identify opportunities for growth and then develop practical and specific strategies to continuously improve. This is a step-by-step process facilitated with and for the superintendent. Each step in the process is developed, prepared or facilitated on behalf of the district. The Superintendent works as a partner to provide input and direction but then all materials are created for the district and provided for distribution. Instead of being a burden, this process will help the work of the district to become streamlined and focused.
About the Program Directors
Dr. Kevin McGowan is the Superintendent of Brighton CSD, a suburban district located in Monroe County, NY. Dr. McGowan joined the district in 2009 following his superintendency in Warsaw CSD. He has also served as an elementary principal, high school assistant principal and elementary teacher. Throughout his work in each position, Dr. McGowan has focused on high quality systems that provide consistency, accountability and a focus on meeting the needs of all learners.
Dr. McGowan is an adjunct professor at both the University of Rochester, Warner School of Education and SUNY Oswego in the Superintendent's Development Program. He is the President of the Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation and a Past-President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.
Dr. Jason Andrews is the Superintendent of the Windsor Central Schools, a position he has held since 2005 and was named the NYS Superintendent of the Year in 2019. He has served as a high school teacher, coach, co-curricular advisor and middle school principal. As superintendent, he has focused on systemic implementation of Professional Learning Communities as the vehicle to ensure student learning and a culture of continuous improvement.
Dr. Andrews is an adjunct professor at both SUNY Oswego in the Superintendent's Development Program, and at the Graduate School of Education at Binghamton University. He serves as the Vice President of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, on the Leadership for Educational Achievement Foundation's Board of Directors, the National Center for Educational Research and Technology National Board and is a charter member of the Institute for Innovation.
Further Questions? Contact Lynnette Brunger, Superintendent of Schools