Strategic Plan (CSIP)
A MESSAGE FROM MR. BURCH – OCTOBER 2025
As we enthusiastically kick off the 2025-2026 school year, I want to share some exciting updates and celebrate the significant progress we’ve achieved together. Since the foundational revision of our Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) in 2022, our district—including administrators, staff, parents, community members, and students—has maintained a steadfast focus on student achievement, positive culture, and effective communication.
This shared commitment continues to drive our mission: to provide an optimal learning environment where all students aspire to achieve their full potential and become lifelong learners.
Celebrating Academic and Strategic Success
One of our primary strategic objectives has been to strengthen academic rigor and high expectations across all grade levels. I am proud to report that we have successfully aligned all K-12 courses with the Missouri Learning Standards, implementing updated pacing guides that emphasize priority standards and consistent expectations across classrooms. This comprehensive work, completed by the end of the 2023-2024 school year, has established a strong instructional foundation for sustained student growth.
Building on this progress, the CSIP—most recently updated in June 2025—sets a clear, measurable target: 95% of students in grades K-8 will demonstrate at least one year of growth in reading, as measured by annual benchmark assessments. To achieve this, teachers are utilizing targeted cohorts, customized interventions, and differentiated instructional strategies. Additionally, a new K-12 student incentive system recognizes and celebrates proficient and advanced performance on MAP and EOC assessments, reinforcing our commitment to academic excellence.
Advancing Our Facilities and Learning Environments
In 2023, the Board of Education established a SMART Goal focused on completing Tier 1 facility improvements by the 2025-2026 school year. I am pleased to share that significant progress has been made toward fully meeting this goal, addressing a range of critical facility needs across the district. This progress sparked a necessary and thoughtful review of the district’s broader facility priorities, leading to an updated and comprehensive District Facility Improvement Plan (DFIP) designed to guide future projects and sustain momentum.
The Tier 1 initiatives included substantial upgrades such as extensive roofing replacements, a new high school gym floor, key science classroom repairs, and vital life safety and security enhancements. These achievements reflect our commitment to maintaining safe, efficient, and inspiring spaces for learning.
As part of our new DFIP review cycle—approved by the Board in August 2025—the district is advancing to the next phase of improvements that focus on modernization, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. Upcoming priorities include:
- Upgrading essential systems by addressing current HVAC shortcomings and completing necessary equipment upgrades.
- Modernizing student spaces through cafeteria and lunchroom renovations, as well as bleacher replacements at the high school ballfield to improve both functionality and aesthetics.
- Improving accessibility and comfort with widespread restroom renovations, including floor repairs, painting, lighting, and stall updates to enhance comfort and appearance district-wide.
- Expanding athletic facilities through a shared vision developed by an established stakeholder planning committee, which will provide guidance and recommendations to the Board on future athletic facility priorities.
These ongoing investments ensure our district continues to provide students and staff with safe, innovative, and welcoming environments that support learning and community engagement.
Thank you to every staff member, parent, and community partner whose dedication and collaboration made these achievements possible. The collective spirit of the Cole County R-V School District continues to drive our progress and define our success. I look forward to sharing continued updates as we build upon these accomplishments and strive toward new heights of educational excellence.