Pike County Board of Education completed a plan months in the making at Monday’s meeting as the school board approved its strategic plan.

The plan includes the district’s mission statement, goals and guiding principles.

“It’s a statement of what we believe, our guiding principles,” said Pike County Schools Superintendent Mark Bazzell.

The plan was a community effort. The district formed committees, held community meetings and distributed surveys.

Students, parents, local businesses, faculty and staff had their say in the plan. More than 100 people attended the January meetings held in Goshen and Brundidge and more than 400 people responded to the surveys.

Bazzell noted that the district has always done extensive planning.

“I think the progress we’ve made is an indicator of that,” he said. “This process was something we needed to do … it ensured we got the feedback of the community.”

Pike County’s mission “is to provide excellence in education, producing graduates ready for college, careers, and life-long success.”

To accomplish that mission, the district’s guiding principles will be maintaining high expectations; ensuring academic accountability, fiscal responsibility and clear communication; initiating and sustaining effective collaboration with families, community agencies and business-industry partners; engaging in research to provide innovative instruction, proficient technology use and student opportunities; and delivery friendly and courteous service in safe, clean, well-maintained schools.

Goals for the district included meeting and exceeding established learning goals for all sub-groups in all subjects and reaching a 100-percent graduation rate.

“The next step will be putting that into practice,” Bazzell said. “At the end of the school year, we’ll be looking at the action plans that’ll arise out of this process.”

The school board also approved the purchase of 10 new school buses at a cost of $793,000 during Monday’s meeting. The buses will replace 10-year-old buses and is necessary in order for the board to collect state funds.