The Ironton school board will set aside time at its July meeting to discuss

the district's strategic plan and what progress has been made at reaching goals outlined in the plan.

The public is encouraged to attend that meeting.

"(The strategic plan) was a community effort and we want to continue to communicate with the community about it," board President Robert Pleasant Jr. said. "We want to show what strides have been made and we want to give them a chance to ask questions and talk to the board and the superintendent about what has taken place during this academic year."

Superintendent t Dean Nance said the 25-member strategic plan steering committee will likely meet before the July school board meeting to evaluate the steps of action outlined in the strategic plan.

"We've put a lot of time into this and tried to follow it. We will try to evaluate where we are at in the action steps," Nance said.

Nance said that of all the accomplishments made, he is most proud of the effort the school administration and staff have made to work as a cohesive unit.

"Teamwork is the thing I'm most proud of," Nance said. "I'm proud of the way we've come together. It seems like the board, the administration and the staff are working toward the same goal."

Two years ago, school officials met with parents and others in the community and asked for their help in drafting a 5-year plan of action to improve education in the city school district. More than 80 people agreed to join action teams that would make recommendations for improvements in a number of areas, such as technology, school facilities and professional development.

After several months of work, each action team made recommendations for improvements. The recommendations that were adopted as part of the plan were then categorized as those that could and should be implemented with 1 year and those that could be implemented late in the 5-year plan.