Superintendent Jeff Swensson recently released his goals and evaluation for the 2010-11 school year.

The goals detail actions that will be taken by him to further the achievement of the students in the school district. A standard of performance was set in the evaluation.

“The key to the goal is it’s a work in progress. The heart of the issue is what is that (standard). I actually think it’s an equation,” Swensson said. Factors in that equation not only include graduation rate, but also the percentage increase of seniors taking either the SAT or ACT.

“This means that they are challenging themselves, and they are aiming for, we hope, very high standards,” Swensson said.

Another key issue in the goals was the school district’s communication with the rest of the community.

“One of the key things I think makes any school district successful is how we connect with the community, its goals, its values and its aspirations for young people,” Swensson said. He would like the school district to reflect and lead those areas.

Jeremy Weprich, student body president and senior, agrees. He said that a successful school district is one that seamlessly incorporates the students, parents, teachers, faculty and community as an outlet for education.

“Carmel Clay Schools is an extremely effective and current school district, continuously updating its programs and approaches to teaching and maintaining a consistent level of excellence in school and in the city,” Weprich said. He also noted that Carmel Clay School has many information pathways and networks that effectively give information to the public.

Swensson said, “As you connect with groups in the community, you get that sense for what is growth, what is change, what is the ‘best.’” By Steven Chen <[email protected]>