EPS Holds First Strategic Planning Meeting

Special to The Advocate

The Everett Public School’s Strategic Planning effort began in earnest on Thursday, April 30, 2026, as 66 stakeholders gathered for the first of three formal meetings convened by Superintendent William D. Hart.

“I stand here tonight knowing that we need to transform this district in order to meet the demands of 2026 and beyond,” Superintendent Hart said. “Time does not just move on. It changes. Your participation in this process helps us make sure we are not just observing how education is changing but how we are adapting to it.”

This first-of-its-kind initiative is built around an inclusive, hands-on planning process that builds upon the knowledge, beliefs, and values of stakeholders to identify the highest priorities and action steps to address them.

“Together, we will develop a Strategic Plan that will not only be the first of its kind — but one of a kind,” said Superintendent Hart.

“This collaborative process is about turning our aspirations into a plan that delivers for our students and their future,” said Mayor Robert J. Van Campen.

Held inside the Everett High School Cafeteria, the gathering featured parents, teachers, administrators, school leaders, elected officials, city leaders, and community partners. Meg Mayo-Brown, a former Superintendent in Fall River and Barnstable and a proven leader in helping districts develop strategic planning processes, is serving as the Everett Public Schools (EPS) consultant and facilitator on the project. She gave an overview of the process and led activities and interactions that help identify the district’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.

The Strategic Planning Group will meet again on June 4 to identify strategic objectives and priorities — the “what” of the Strategic Plan, Mayo-Brown explained. The third stakeholder meeting will take place on June 22 for the purpose of helping finish the final draft. In between, the EPS leadership team will hold formal meetings with Ms. Mayo-Brown.

“We will move deliberately and purposefully to publish the Strategic Plan before the start of the 2026-2027 school year,” said Superintendent Hart. “We are leveraging the energy and spirit of cooperation that defines our city at this moment in time to develop a plan that offers clarity and purpose to faculty, families, and the students we serve.”

The stakeholder team members serve in an advisory role by offering perspectives, feedback, and broad recommendations on how to build on the district’s strengths and challenges; to inform the work of the leadership team (subgroup of stakeholder group) charged with developing the strategic plan, and to provide insight and input throughout the implementation of the plan.; and to represent the planning process within the community, providing ongoing two-way communication about progress.

“We have assembled a great team of stakeholders, and I look forward to hearing more from the group as we develop a Strategic Plan that will guide us for the next three years,” said Superintendent Hart.