Core beliefs and a mission statement were among items that will be included in the Lauderdale County School District’s new strategic plan once it is completed.

The school board of trustees discussed some updates to its new strategic plan at its meeting Thursday evening. Through the consulting firm Impact Education Group, the district has been collecting information from a community-wide survey, students and stakeholder meetings. The district has received more than 1,400 responses from the community.

Based on those efforts, the district came up with six core beliefs:

1. We believe our success is critical to the development of our workforce and the growth of the economy.

2. We believe all students deserve a safe, orderly and productive learning environment.

3. We believe every learner deserves effective educators.

4. We believe every individual deserves to be respected and valued.

5. We believe when education is meaningful, it maximizes the students potential.

6. We believe education and success demands a collective effort from all.

“When you see those core beliefs, you can see how powerful they are and are critical to our success,” said James Hutto of Impact Education Group.

The main goal of the core beliefs is to make sure students can become successful, and if the district follows the beliefs, then it can help make a difference for students, Hutto said.

The core beliefs also highlight some goals the district has for the next few years. Some goals include offering opportunities for student engagement, creating engaging work, providing career awareness, advancing in technology, improving the graduation rate, decreasing absenteeism, increasing collaboration, have ethical behavior, increasing diversity, improving facilities and developing positive relationships between student, staff and other school personnel.

A new mission statement for the district was also announced during the meeting: “The Lauderdale County school district exists to provide students a diverse, innovative education that develops the skills necessary to be productive citizens in the 21st century.”

Once the strategic plan is completed, it will go back to the board for approval.

“I think this a great step as you move forward,” Hutto said.

In other news, Teri Edwards, K-4 curriculum and district coordinator, and Cheryl Thomas, 5-12 curriculum and professional development director, both announced they are retiring from the school district.

Superintendent John-Mark Cain said Edwards and Thomas have been great assets to the school district and helped to make his transition as the new superintendent a lot smoother.

“It has just been a pleasure and I know they are going to finish strong,” Cain said.