Long-term Recommendations

These long-term recommendations reflect opportunities to build on the foundation set in Phase I, the momentum of Phase II, and the Gwinnett County Board of Education's Core Beliefs and Commitments. They outline work that extends beyond the 2025–26 school year and may be considered by the next superintendent.

1. Develop a Clear, Forward-Thinking Strategic Plan

   As the current strategic plan will end in 2027, the new superintendent will provide critical leadership in establishing our next strategic plan. When developing our next strategic plan, the long-term recommendation is to ensure the plan is shaped by meaningful input from students, families, staff, and the community. It is also recommended that our next strategic plan prioritizes teaching and learning, includes measurable objectives based on available data and reports, key performance indicators to measure progress, and provides a clear roadmap staff can use for advancing student achievement for all students and ensuring optimal efficiency and effectiveness in all areas of the district.
    

2. Expand and Enhance Early Learning Opportunities
   Over the next several years, it is recommended for GCPS to expand access to and improve the quality of early learning programs. Plans may include adding more Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K classes, piloting an Early Learning Center at a high school with an Early Childhood Education pathway, and broadening the Play 2 Learn On the Go initiative with summer programming. Reinstating key support positions—such as Director of Early Learning and School Readiness (ELSR), Coordinator of Internal Programming, Community Outreach Liaison, and Instructional Specialists—along with additional staffing for the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program, will be essential. These efforts aim to create a sustainable birth-to-five system that aligns with district goals, with implementation phased in based on secured funding and building capacity.
    

3. Advance Technology and Innovation for Teaching, Learning, and Operations
   The Division of Technology and Innovation has outlined a three-year IT strategy to align resources, governance, and innovation with district priorities. This includes expanding the AI Governance Council and Innovator Cohorts, strengthening cybersecurity, and modernizing systems such as ServiceNow to improve reliability and customer experience. The long-term recommendation is that GCPS sustain and expand these efforts, ensuring technology consistently enhances instruction, safeguards data, and provides user-friendly, dependable tools that support the daily work of students, families, and staff.
    

4. Expand Student Engagement and Well-being Initiatives
   Long-term, the recommendation is to continue to ensure that all students have access to engaging, age-appropriate opportunities that foster connection, support well-being, and promote success in school and beyond.
    

5. Implement Strategic Redistricting
   To address overcrowding and maintain safe, effective learning environments, the long-term recommendation is that GCPS engages in district-wide redistricting to balance enrollment. This process, combined with sustained and consistent enrollment practices and a strong, ongoing capital plan, will position the district to provide optimal facilities and resources across all schools.
    

6. Sustain XFATs as a Core Improvement Strategy
   Beyond the 2025–26 school year, the long-term recommendation is that GCPS continues using Cross-Functional Advisory Teams (XFATs) as a key strategy for continuous quality improvement. Staffing should remain a standing XFAT focus, with ongoing training to ensure teams are equipped to address complex challenges, foster innovation, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
    

7. Refine Organizational Structure for Effectiveness
   It is the recommendation long-term that GCPS regularly review roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines to ensure clear communication, responsive leadership, and high-quality service to schools from district office divisions and teams. A well-aligned structure will be critical to advancing district goals and delivering excellent education across all schools.
    

8. Improve and Sustain Outdoor Learning and Play Spaces
   GCPS has developed standards and an assessment tool for outdoor facilities, with over 125 school sites reviewed to date. Once all visits are complete, the district will finalize a report and set a timeline for addressing improvement needs. Recommendations from the cross-divisional playground committee to expand play opportunities for all students will also be shared. The recommendation is that long-term strategies should include pursuing competitive grants and alternative funding sources to support sustainable facility investments across the county.
    

9. Advance Equitable and Responsive Resource Allocation
   It is recommended that the district maintain a long-term focus on ensuring that resource allocation strategies are equitable, responsive to changing needs, and aligned with GCPS’ commitment to student achievement and responsible financial stewardship.
    

10. Continue Refining Fiscal and Resource Planning Processes
    It is recommended that the district maintain a cycle of reviewing and improving fiscal processes, budget planning, and resource management to ensure sustainability, transparency, and alignment with strategic priorities.
     

11. Strengthen Community Engagement and Partnerships
    It is recommended the Engagement Office continues to partner with district leaders to provide regular opportunities for both individual and group engagement with students, families, staff. and the community. Building and maintaining these relationships will help align district work with community needs, strengthen trust, inform decision-making, and expand partnerships. Over time, GCPS may also consider investing in the development of a cross-divisional database of community partners to coordinate, monitor, and assess engagement efforts. This initiative will require dedicated software and staffing resources.