Oskaloosa School District Prepares for New Academic Year with Renewed Focus on Vision and Growth
Oskaloosa, Iowa – As the new school year gets into gear, Mike Fisher, Superintendent of the Oskaloosa School District, expressed confidence and excitement about the district’s readiness to embrace the upcoming challenges and opportunities. “We’re really prepared. And, you know, feel really good about what we’re coming into,” Fisher said, emphasizing the district’s ongoing commitment to its core values.
Fisher highlighted that the district is entering the third year of its vision culture focused on love, empowerment, and inspiration. “We’ve just seen some really amazing, positive, radical changes as we continue to live our vision culture each day for our kids and our staff, our community,” he stated. Despite the challenges, including the loss of beloved staff members, the district remains determined to move forward while honoring their memories.
Middle School Security and Infrastructure Upgrades
The district is also focusing on significant infrastructure upgrades, particularly at the middle school, which is nearing 50 years old. Fisher mentioned that one of the top priorities is improving security at the middle school, particularly the entrance, to ensure that visitors must enter through the office, addressing a major vulnerability identified in a state-mandated threat assessment. “One of our biggest areas of vulnerabilities is the fact we have not a fully secured entrance at the middle school where visitors have to enter through the office,” Fisher explained.
Plans are also underway to update the office flow and health office areas to enhance privacy and health security. These upgrades are part of the district’s five-year strategic plan, which has already seen significant improvements in other district facilities.
Expanding Opportunities and Engaging Students
The district is not only focusing on infrastructure but also on expanding learning opportunities for students. New initiatives, such as the ongoing eSports program and increased emphasis on performing arts and visual arts, are part of this effort. “The big thing that we’re really excited about is everything around engage in transferable learning,” Fisher said. The district is working on a “portrait of a graduate” to better align educational experiences with real-world careers.
In a novel approach, the district leadership team, including Fisher, participated in the “Billy Madison project,” where they shadowed students across all grade levels to gain insight into the student experience. “That was so enlightening and empowering for us as leaders,” Fisher remarked, adding that the experience highlighted the need for making learning more relevant and engaging for students.
Activities and Extracurricular Growth
Fisher also underscored the importance of extracurricular activities in student development and community pride. “When kids are involved in activities, they graduate high school, they go on and they learn so many employability skills, and they become better human beings,” he said. The district’s “Five to Thrive” strategic plan aims to enhance the quality and reach of these activities, treating the activities department almost as its own campus.
Career and College Readiness
Another key area of focus is preparing students for life after high school, whether through college or direct entry into the workforce. Fisher pointed out that the district is encouraging a broader view of post-secondary options, beyond just traditional college pathways. “It’s not about labels. It’s about passion areas and what you want to do and how you want to be successful,” he said, noting the importance of exposing students to various career opportunities from an early age.
Programs like the building trades and Spirit Café, which provide hands-on learning experiences, are prime examples of the district’s commitment to making real-world skills a central part of education. Fisher expressed hope that such programs would become the norm rather than the exception, further positioning Oskaloosa as a school of choice.
Positive Metrics and Community Support
Fisher shared that the district’s metrics for staff retention, student enrollment, and financial health are all trending positively. “Our turnover rate for our staff was extremely low this year,” he noted, adding that staff engagement scores have also been strong. Additionally, the district has seen improvements in test scores, behavioral outcomes, and graduation rates.
Overall, Fisher remains optimistic about the district’s direction and the community’s role in supporting its schools. “We have a staff that’s truly all in for our vision culture of engage, our love, empower, and inspire our people,” he concluded.
The Oskaloosa School District looks forward to a year of continued growth, innovation, and community involvement as it builds on its vision for a bright future.
