Strategic Plan & Countywide Goal Dashboard - Berrien Regional Education Service Agency (RESA)

Goal 1: Decision Making

By 2026, stakeholder groups will be involved in relevant decisions made by Berrien RESA.

Why is this important?

Berrien RESA is a service agency that provides educational services to ALL public school students and education personnel in Berrien County. The choices we make affect many people. Our decisions should be informed by those we serve.

Efforts targeting specific goal areas are labeled with an R for Reading, M for Math and B/E for Belonging & Engagement.*

Accomplishments
Upcoming Projects

Accomplishments

Established three countywide goals focusing on the Science of Reading, the 8 Mathematics Practices, and Belonging & Engagement. (R, M, B/E)
Implemented Augmentative and Alternative Communication in early education classrooms. (R, B/E)
Supported a STEM grant awarded by the Whirlpool Corporation with curriculum development and consulting. (R, M)
Developed and now continue to offer a Superintendent Planning Retreat every summer. (B/E)
Issue a superintendent-specific monthly newsletter called Building Success Together. (B/E)
Offered an annual Countywide Professional Development Day. (R, M, B/E)
Established a regular meeting for Berrien County Board Presidents and Superintendents. (B/E)

Upcoming Projects

Continue to develop a Facility Master Plan.
Partner with the Emergency Operations Center to support school safety initiatives.
Review and revamp special education services at the Berrien County Jail. (R, M, B/E)
Participate in the Hanover Research Study relative to student behavior. (B/E)
Support Principal training relative to the districts' Countywide Goals. (R, M, B/E)

Goal Status

Goal 2: Data Skilled

By 2026, Berrien RESA staff will be data-skilled for reassessing and reframing our actions.

Why is this important?

Sometimes adjustments are needed in our work to ensure we are moving in the right direction. Staff continuously evaluate their work to best support student success.

Efforts targeting specific goal areas are labeled with an R for Reading, M for Math and B/E for Belonging & Engagement.*

Accomplishments
Upcoming Projects

Accomplishments

Instructional consultants have assisted local school districts with the purchase and implementation of high quality instructional materials. (R/M)
Professional development was offered focusing on mathematical practices at Lighthouse Education Center. (M)
Developed a consistent Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Improvement Plan process and resources. (B/E)
Collaborated with local school districts to develop a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Scale-Up in Berrien County using data to reassess and reframe actions. (B/E)
Maximized the use of Qmaltiv models to input and recall data for state and federal reporting.
Participated in a statewide data analysis. (R, M, B/E)

Upcoming Projects

Goal Status

Goal 3: Equity

By 2026, all Berrien RESA staff will participate in fostering an environment that provides equal opportunity for all.

Why is this important?

Everyone deserves to have a fair chance to learn, grow and thrive in school and the work environment.

Efforts targeting specific goal areas are labeled with an R for Reading, M for Math and B/E for Belonging & Engagement.*

Accomplishments
Upcoming Projects

Accomplishments

Berrien RESA's Impact Team, a cohort of Berrien RESA staff and LEA board of education members completed the "Brave Talks: Education Version" program. (B/E)
Participated in Implicit Bias training. (B/E)
Multiple Whole Child Summits were held in partnership with community entities, featuring student voice. (B/E)
The district integrated a new employee assistance program called Ulliance. The news system includes counseling services, life enhancement coaching, legal and financial services and more. (B/E)
Incorporated adaptive protective equipment language in Blossomland Learning Center's Individualized Education Plans along with new tracking documentation. (B/E)
Developed a building-wide leadership team, inclusive of staff representation from the ASD and Lighthouse Education Center programs. (B/E)
Established a school store at Lighthouse Education Center where students can use their Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports tickets they have earned for meeting school and classroom expectations. (B/E)
Developed a Belonging Service Menu that outlines learning opportunities for educators to help support the wellbeing of students and staff. (B/E)
Established the "What IF Advisory" - Berrien County DEI Committee and MASA Beyond Equity. (B/E)

Upcoming Projects

Establish a Positive Intervention Diversion Program to support student success. (B/E)
Through the district's think tank, Project RESA, develop planning teams to recommend collaboration opportunities within the organization, with a particular emphasis on cross-department projects/collaboration. (B/E)
Develop a succession planning system for district leadership roles.
Incorporate "HEART" in the district's hiring practices. (B/E)

Goal Status

Goal 4: Innovation

By 2026, Berrien RESA will improve outcomes through groundbreaking strategies.

Why is this important?

Using data and creativity allows us to be innovative to best support student success.

Efforts targeting specific goal areas are labeled with an R for Reading, M for Math and B/E for Belonging & Engagement.*

Accomplishments
Upcoming Projects

Accomplishments

Established a local school district Facility Manager shared service.
Launched a district radio show called Always Learning with Berrien RESA. (B/E)
Established the Berrien Talent Collaborative, a registered apprenticeship program in partnership with the business community and Lake Michigan College. (B/E)
Developed a multi-year communication plan to support internships and summer opportunities at Whirlpool Corporation. (R, M, B/E)
Implemented a technology grant to support computer science curriculum.
Implemented a Managed Detect and Response network and infrastructure tool to deter cyber threats.
Increased participation in the School to Career program. (B/E)
Offered a professional development conference on Equitable Instruction. (R, M, B/E)
Established the Talent Together program to support new educator recruitment and certification. (R, M, B/E)

Upcoming Projects

Facilitate the Statewide Early Literacy Media Campaign grant to support hard-to-reach families across the state to help develop their understanding of the importance of early literacy skills. (R)
Through Project RESA, will build and implement a strategy to actively engage ideas for improvement. (B/E)
The Early Middle College will create an additional program of study; Machine Tool and Welding.
The district is working to harness artificial intelligence for customer support purposes on its website.
Continue to pilot the Heartland Continuous Improvement curriculum in a local district (R, M, B/E)
Continue to develop a Facilities & Operations Regional Certification program.
Work with the Mott Foundation to support educator training and certification.
Support Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative needs as the fiduciary agent for the grant.
Offer 10 Classroom Innovation Grants to local districts to develop education resources to support the three countywide goals. (R, M, B/E)
Coordinate discounts and rebates for local schools.

Goal Status

*In addition to Berrien RESA's Strategic Plan goals, staff also work to support three countywide goals that were developed collaboratively by all the public school districts in Berrien County:

We are building educator capacity around common literacy standards, the Science of Reading, and delivery of explicitly foundational skills and strategies.
We are building educator capacity around common math standards, the 8 Mathematical Practices and delivery of explicit foundational skills and strategies.
We are building educator capacity around fostering belonging and engagement where ALL are connected and accepted.