There are definitely parts of the Strategic Plan I support—especially the focus on academic excellence for all students and better communication with families. Those are steps in the right direction.
But some parts make me pause.
During the 2023–24 school year, I worked as a social worker at Chancellor Elementary. From day one, I saw how hard our teachers and staff work. They’re committed, they’re resilient, and they go above and beyond for our students every single day. But they’re also stretched thin.
Now, the Strategic Plan seems to ask even more of our schools—expanding their role to cover students’ physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. I’ve worked directly with students in these areas, and I can tell you—it’s a challenging job. And it’s not something that can be handled by just a counselor or social worker. It will take a team. A large one.
That’s why I worry about how much more we can reasonably expect from our teachers, paraeducators, and staff. The goal of supporting the whole child is a good one—but if it’s not done thoughtfully, it could create friction. Some of these areas—especially the social and emotional ones—are deeply personal and often belong more in the hands of parents and caregivers. If the SCPS gets it wrong, it could lead to mistrust or conflict.
I know the plan talks about expanding the workforce, and that’s encouraging. But across Virginia, we’re already dealing with teacher and staff shortages. Here in Spotsy, I’ve had plenty of conversations with people who are worried about current vacancy rates. That makes it tough to chase excellence if we’re just trying to fill the basics.
My big concern is this: if we keep piling more on our educators without the people and resources to back it up, we risk burnout—and losing the very people who are holding it all together.
I also think it’s important for families to have a say. Now that the plan has been approved (5–2), I’ll be watching closely to see how the specific actions are rolled out. I’d like to see SCPS offer opt-out options for certain intiaitives—especially those that touch on personal or sensitive areas. Parents should be brought into those conversations and have the final say about what’s right for their child.
Let’s move forward with care, clarity, and collaboration. That’s how we give our students the best we’ve got—without losing the people who make it all happen.
For more info: https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/page/strategicplanning