Sheila Phillips
Chamber Chair Linda Parker, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, Mayor Butch Zaragoza, Vestavia Hills City Schools’ Superintendent Sheila Phillips, Chamber President Karen Odle, and Doug Dean, Chamber Vice Chair of Programming. Photo by Rebecca Walden.
In her keynote speaker address to the Chamber of Commerce, newly appointed Superintendent Sheila Phillips shared a plan for system-wide strategic growth.
She articulated several of the system’s areas for improvement, and laid out a strategy for how the school system can address them. On her list of high priority issues, Phillips included enrollment trends, the need for digital device consistency in academics, and the expectation that each school deliver equitable learning experiences.
“Every single student we touch on a daily basis should receive from us the foundation they need to achieve as much success as possible,” said Phillips.
In that regard, Phillips announced plans to initiate a yearlong strategic planning process, during which time those involved will conduct thorough analysis of all the information on hand about the district. According to Phillips, this process has not taken place in the school system since 2007.
She cited the rapid change taking place in education and the new faces throughout the school system’s administration and faculty, make this the right time to assess district performance.
“We are a system of continuous improvement,” Phillips said, noting that it’s a belief she takes to heart, and one she expects district-wide faculty to embrace.
In her recent address to faculty, Phillips shared a five-point list detailing how she defines continuous improvement, and what that should look like in Vestavia Hills City Schools:
- “Do what is right on behalf of every student.”
- “Be a servant leader, no matter what the role.”
- “Challenge our children to think and dream.”
- “Challenge yourself to think and dream.”
- “Fulfill all responsibilities with courage and honor.”
The Chamber will reconvene its monthly luncheon series on Sep. 9 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., with keynote speaker Sunel Merchant, who will speak about his experience on Sep. 11, 2001 (Merchant was on the 49th floor of one World Trade Center when the tower was hit).
