Comprehensive Planning

Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members,

The Lower Merion School District is engaged in a state-required comprehensive planning process and we are hoping you will share your input. Every District must complete a new Comprehensive Plan every three years. Our District plan is due to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) on March 31, 2025.

The Comprehensive Plan is a compliance document that includes a Ready, Set, Go! Structure. The plan aligns with, but does not replace, our Strategic Plan, All Forward, which we look forward to updating under the leadership of our incoming superintendent, Dr. Frank Ranelli. Elements of the Comprehensive Plan are designed to meet state accountability requirements at this time, and plan next steps toward a shared vision for priority goals to be further developed with Dr. Ranelli through a strategic planning process.

The Ready step outlines the steering committee, the district profile, mission, vision and values of the District.

The Set step includes a needs assessment and summarizes strengths and challenges.

The Go! step incorporates goal-setting action planning and the creation of corresponding professional development strategies and communication methods.

The Comprehensive Plan review also includes review of the following additional plans:

• Professional Learning Plan
• Induction Plan
• Gifted Education Plan

The District steering committees were made up of parents/guardians, community partners, educators and administrators who provided input for the Plan. Drafting of the Plan was an opportunity to think critically about and align with the District's Strategic Plan, "All Forward."

On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Curriculum Committee of the Board was updated on the progress of the Plan. On February 14, 2025, a 28-day public comment period will begin. Following this 28-day public comment period, at the Regular Business Board Meeting on March 17, 2025, the District Administration will request formal Board approval of the Plan for submission to the State.

The proposed Plan is now posted to the District's website for the 28-day public comment period. You can read it by clicking the links below. Our administrative team values input from all stakeholders and we welcome your comments and suggestions, which may be submitted directly through a feedback form on the website, which can be found to the right. Paper copies of the proposed Plan and Public Comment Response Forms will be available at each District school and at the District's Administrative Offices for review during regular school hours.

We are extremely grateful for the dedication of our committee members in undertaking the work necessary to complete the proposed Plan and look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions.