On Sept. 24, Superintendent Jeff Swensson delivered a recommendation to approve the new strategic plan for Carmel Clay Schools. According to Swensson, the new strategic plan is a result of growth and change facing the school district and the state.

“People wiser than I have said, ‘Change is inevitable; growth is intentional,’” he said. “We know that since… (education) is always going to be changing… what we are good at and what we’re always in the midst of but is certainly apparent (now), is growth, and we’re being very intentional about… a coherent, well designed, collaborative, connective, based on research approach to growth.

According to the plan, which passed for approval, focuses on three main points: “(To) provide students with differentiated learning opportunities in order to be responsive to students’ needs, fully engage students in learning and (to) use technology as a tool for learning, productivity, communication, and data solutions.”

Junior Spencer Satz said he is particularly pleased with the goal pertaining technology.

“I think it is a relevant goal,” he said, “Since this technology will be available to us for the rest of our lives. It is helpful for us to grow accustomed to using (it) while solving problems.”

Still, according to Swensson, the plan as a whole really ties in with the new RISE standards

Swensson said, “It’s very much like building with legos. It just happens those two pieces are available and click they go together, but it’s intentional now… because they are research based, all of a sudden you put those pieces together and you have a very powerful combination.”