Mission and Vision
The District 26 community works together to provide a sound educational foundation that supports and inspires all students to reach their full academic potential. 

Students
An exemplary school district ensures that all of its students achieve their academic potential, foster social/emotional growth, respect the uniqueness of each student, and develop a commitment to the community. To achieve this, the District 26 community will: 

• Encourage students to be creative and take intellectual risks. 
• Expect students to demonstrate and accept responsibility for their learning, decisions and actions. 
• Celebrate student achievements in academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular endeavors. 
• Provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills. 
• Empower students to set goals to drive their achievement through identifying their academic strengths and challenges. 
• Provide opportunities for students to be proficient users of technology and to understand its potential benefits and risks. 
• Guide and support students as they learn to work collaboratively and respectfully with peers and adults. 
• Provide students with learning experiences which will prepare them to become responsible citizens. 

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
An exemplary school district challenges students with a common, consistent, and comprehensive curriculum that stimulates the desire for continued learning throughout life. To achieve this, the District 26 community will:

• Teach critical content in all curricular areas to ensure mastery. 
• Provide curriculum and instruction in core subjects. 
• Improve student access to non-core subjects (specials). 
• Provide students with learning experiences which will strengthen their individuality, initiative, and creativity. 
• Ensure educators know and use best practices of instruction and assessment. 
• Monitor and assess each student’s progress for the purpose of improving student achievement. 
• Make data driven decisions regarding curriculum and instruction. 
• Integrate technology strategically and consistently in the learning process. 

Culture and Climate
An exemplary school district creates a climate in which everyone is valued and committed to the Mission and Vision. To achieve this, the District 26 community will:

• Create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. 
• Maintain open communication and collaboration among students, personnel, parents, community, and the Board of Education. 
• Promote, recognize and celebrate achievements. 
• Establish clear and consistent expectations for behavior. 
• Develop and sustain relationships characterized by tolerance, respect, and acceptance. 
• Provide a secure, safe, and clean physical environment. 

Finance
An exemplary school district effectively and efficiently uses the resources available to maximize the educational experience. To achieve this, the District 26 community will:

• Maintain a balanced budget.
• Align resources to support the District’s Vision.
• Evaluate and implement responsible cost saving measures.
• Pursue alternative and sustainable sources of revenue.
• Be transparent in the conduct of finances.
• Use data driven financial variables for all estimates.

Working in a Learning Community
An exemplary school district is created by people who educate students, deliver support services, and lead school and district operations. It is the responsibility of all district personnel to contribute to a professionally rewarding, enjoyable, and positive work environment. To achieve this, the District 26 community will:

• Have high expectations for student achievement and lead by example.
• Demonstrate and encourage innovation, creativity, and teamwork.
• Support and improve student learning through effective sharing, collaborating, and planning.
• Communicate successfully by giving and receiving constructive feedback, listening, providing encouragement, and recognizing accomplishments.
• Confront adversity with professionalism and work together for individual and district improvement.
• Celebrate success within schools and as a district.
• Promote and honor the District’s Vision, Commitments, and Goals

Community, Parents, and Guardians
An exemplary school district partners with the larger community that includes parents, businesses, government units and community members. At the core of this is the recognition and acceptance that strong schools are important not just for the students, but for the community as a whole. In order to develop community allegiance, support, and ownership in the schools, the District 26 community will:

• Communicate openly and transparently using a variety of methods.
• Recognize the benefit of feedback from the public.
• Provide support, opportunities and encouragement for community members to become engaged in the district.
• Encourage parents to be active and involved in student learning both inside and outside of the classroom.
• Partner with parent and community organizations to further student learning opportunities.
• Collaborate with the extended community to create real world learning opportunities.

Collective Commitments for the Board of Education
The Cary District 26 School Board is committed to fulfilling the Mission and Vision of the District. To do so, the Board of Education will: 

• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility in district decisions.
• Integrate the Mission and Vision into our decision making process.
• Foster positive relationships with all personnel.
• Develop and implement programs and policies that will enhance learning opportunities for all students.
• Use data in our decision making process.
• Provide opportunities for community input in district decision making.
• Encourage and celebrate achievements that support our Mission and Vision.
• Demonstrate a work ethic that reflects the importance of our Mission and Vision.

Collective Commitments for Administrative Leadership Team
The Administrative Leadership Team of District 26 includes district and building level administrators. The Administrative Leadership Team is committed to fulfilling the District Mission and Vision. To do so, the Administrative Leadership Team will:

• Hold high expectations for student achievement.
• Facilitate the development of curricular and extra-curricular programs that improve student academics and provide an enriching school experience.
• Make decisions that are data driven, proven best practice, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement for everyone.
• Recruit and retain highly qualified personnel who reflect the diversity of our community and embrace our Vision.
• Establish opportunities for ongoing professional development and growth of all personnel.
• Model, acknowledge, and celebrate behaviors that are consistent with our Vision and address those that are not.
• Encourage informed communication and purposeful involvement of home, school, and community.
• Maintain a safe and secure learning environment.

Collective Commitments for Certified Staff
As certified staff, we will support the district Mission and Vision of District 26. To do so, the certified staff will:

• Hold high expectations for student achievement.
• Provide opportunities for students to develop academic and life skills necessary to make responsible choices, develop independence, and act respectfully and collaboratively.
• Use a variety of balanced assessments to guide instructional design and to monitor students’ progress towards intended curricular outcomes.
• Engage in lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.
• Provide a supportive, collaborative atmosphere where everyone feels emotionally, physically, and intellectually safe while acting with integrity, respect, and honesty.
• Be proactive to collaborate with and involve parents in the education of their children by communicating student progress and providing a support system for students and parents.
• Communicate with and utilize resources of the community.
• Be committed to using best practices in education.
• Conduct ourselves in a professional manner.

Collective Commitments for Support Staff
In our varied roles, we will support the District 26 Mission and Vision. To do so, the support staff will:

• Demonstrate pride and ownership.
• Model professionalism through:
• Knowledge and performance of job responsibilities. − Approaching situations with an open mind.
• Respect for cultural diversity.
• Fiscal and environmental responsibility.
• Create an environment that is:
• Professional.
• Courteous and welcoming.
• Positive and supportive.
• Safe, secure and nurturing.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents, students, and the community.
• Participate in effective and respectful communication while recognizing and honoring confidentiality.
• Celebrate successes.

Collective Commitments for Parents
As parents, we recognize that we have the most significant role in shaping the lives of our children. To do so, the parents of students in District 26 will:

• Be the primary advocate for our children while not compromising the wellbeing of other students.
• Set goals for and with our children and follow through on plans to achieve those goals.
• Provide an environment and time that is conducive to completing classroom assignments.
• Act as a role model for the behavioral expectations we have established for our children.
• Participate in student and/or district activities and volunteer our skills for relevant school and/or curriculum needs.
• Communicate with our children, other parents, and school district personnel effectively by giving and receiving constructive feedback, listening, providing encouragement, and recognizing accomplishments.
• Instill in our children respect for themselves, teachers, staff, and other students.
• Set boundaries with specific repercussions for disrespectful or bullying behavior.
• Help our children overcome adversity encountered with school assignments, in-class behavior, or their relationships with other children.
• Promote a healthy life-style by modeling and supporting responsible life-style choices, including drug and alcohol avoidance, grooming, healthy eating and exercise.
  Celebrate our children’s successes.

Collective Commitments for Community Members
A successful school system is an important element of the community we live in. Community members can contribute to the success of District 26 by supporting its Mission and Vision. To do so, community members will:

• Participate in school and/or district activities and volunteer our skills for relevant school district or school needs.
• Vote in the democratic process that funds the school district and elects Board of Education members.
• Hold district officials accountable for the physical and organizational structure and educational performance of our schools.
• Communicate perspective, ideas, issues, opportunities, and solutions to the District’s teachers, support staff, administration and/or Board of Education.

Goals
District 26’s vision establishes a clear direction for the future. The goals are not intended to stand alone, but rather support the vision and identify the priorities that enable us to accomplish our mission and reach our vision for the District.

• The District will reinstate or increase art, music, physical education, and non-core subjects (Specials) instructed by content certified personnel with staggered implementation to begin within two years.
• The District will increase the achievement of every student in reading each year as measured by District and State assessments.
• The District will increase the achievement of every student in math each year as measured by District and State assessments.
• The District will reduce the achievement gap in Reading and Math yearly for each subgroup as measured by District and State assessments by increasing the achievement of the trailing sub-groups.