Henrico County Public Schools invites students, families, employees and community members to help shape the future as the division develops its next comprehensive strategic plan. Stakeholder input is essential as division leaders seek answers to important questions: What do we value most as a school community? What do we want students to know and be able to do when they graduate from HCPS? And what should our priorities be as we prepare students to be “life-ready”?

Applications are now open for the HCPS Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which will include approximately 15-20 volunteers representing Henrico’s five magisterial districts, along with different perspectives and backgrounds. This group will review the division’s current strategic plan, Destination 2025, and division data to identify what the division is doing well, opportunities for growth and goals for strengthening education in Henrico.

Those chosen for the committee will be required to attend three in-person planning sessions during the 2024-25 school year, as well as an annual committee meeting each year of the plan.

Applications are due by April 21; committee members will be chosen based on the quality of their application, as well as the experiences they would bring to the committee’s work. A Spanish version of the online application is also available, and paper copies and forms in other languages can be provided by request to the Department of Assessment, Research and Evaluation at 804-652-3830. Interpreters are available for volunteers who do not speak English as their first language.

The School Health Advisory Board, which helps develop school health policy, is also seeking applicants who are willing to be an advocate for student health and wellness. Members to this board are appointed for a three-year term and meet at least four times throughout the school year. Volunteers can fill out an interest form or call 804-226-5470 for more information.

“Involvement of our Henrico community is vital to our decision-making processes, and it lays the foundation for the innovations and progress that we experience across all of our schools,” said Dr. Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent. “We encourage anyone who feels passionately about the future and well-being of our students to apply and engage positively with these committees, whether they are a teacher, family member, community member, business partner or even a current student.”

There are additional opportunities to support the school division through advisory committees. Information about other HCPS committees and advisory councils and their application processes can be found on the school division website.