After conferring with the state's most knowledgeable education professionals last fall, Superintendent Mathis and Curriculum Coordinator Nancy Lance planned a series of workshops with local leadership teams to research, discuss and formulate a focused plan for the work of Walker County Schools toward school improvement and student achievement.
The first products of this group are the new mission and beliefs. Board members, Central Office staff and school administrators worked with Mike Vanairsdale, Performance Consultant for GLISI, to develop a mission and vision to guide Walker County Schools for the next five years. Walker County Schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and will be using SACS standards as tools to set and measure strategic goals.
"By beginning with where we want the school system to be in the next five to ten years, we can develop research-based, effective strategies to meet these goals," said Mathis.
The Mission and Beliefs for Walker County Schools for 2008-2012 are:
OUR MISSION: To ensure ALL students graduate -
Ready for College, Ready for Work, Ready for Life!
We BELIEVE: all students can learn ***individuals achieve best when actively engaged *** students learn best in a safe, clean and nurturing learning environment *** students learn in different ways and rates and must have appropriate support *** in equipping students for the future through technology enhanced learning *** student achievement is enhanced through meaningful relationships developed through school based activities and extracurricular experiences *** highly qualified and caring staff must be assigned to every position *** continuous professional growth is a shared responsibility *** all must communicate, solve problems and make appropriate decisions, individually and as team members *** in data informed decision making and research based best practices *** teamwork and shared decision-making are keys to improved performance *** high expectations must be established and clearly communicated *** prompt and regular attendance by students and teachers leads to improved performance *** all stakeholders- students, teachers, parents, community are accountable for learning *** each individual is responsible for his/her behavior *** all individuals must act responsibly and respect property, persons, and others 
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Walker County Schools are busy preparing students for college, work and life. Superintendent Melissa Mathis said, "The most important work of every school district occurs inside the classroom. To be successful everyone, from the board of education to the students and parents, must know and focus on educating our children." That is why Mrs. Mathis and a cohort of administrative leaders began last fall working with the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) to develop and define a mission and beliefs for the students and staff of Walker County Schools.
