WINDSOR – In order to prepare for the future, one needs a plan.

That’s the idea Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart has in regards to laying out strategies as the new Superintendent of Bertie County Public Schools looks forward to the next five years.

However, Dr. Collins-Hart isn’t about to embark on this journey alone. She is asking not only BCPS employees to join her, but Bertie County citizens as well.

With that in mind, Dr. Collins-Hart hosted a “Stakeholders Summit” last week at Bertie High School. There, citizens joined BCPS staff to form a partnership aimed at helping to develop the school system’s strategic plan for 2006-2011.

“We need to set the vision of what we want Bertie County Schools to become over the next five years,” Dr. Collins-Hart said. “Judging by your attendance here tonight it appears you have an interest in helping reach the goals.”

The superintendent emphasized that county citizens are the best source of information to help develop these strategies.

“You have been here in this county for a while,” she noted. “Who better than you knows what is needed…what will work here in Bertie County.”

Dr. Collins-Hart then asked each in attendance to prioritize the five goals n (1) High Student Performance; (2) Healthy Students in Safe, Orderly and Caring Schools; (3) Quality Teachers, Administrators and Staff; (4) Strong Family, Community and Business Support; and (5) Effective and Efficient Operations (transportation, finance and facilities).

Based on those selections, citizens will be grouped in the areas they chose as top priority. They will meet in those selective groups at another stakeholders meeting from 5:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Bertie High School.

At last week’s meeting, citizens joined BCPS staff in five “break-out” sessions. There, each group was given information on the status of the 2004-05 system-wide goals and an update on the NC School Report Card, including Average Yearly Progress.

Each group was asked to work together to identify what were the current strengths of the school system as well as the areas that needed improvement.

Armed with the information and ideas shared during a series of upcoming stakeholders meetings, Dr. Collins-Hart has targeted March 6, 2006 as the date where the five-year strategic plan will be approved by the Bertie Board of Education.