(Posted Oct. 12, 2018)
By Linda Dillman, Staff Writer
Focus 3, a discipline building system used by Ohio State University and the West Jefferson High School football team, is expanding across the Jefferson Local School District to include staff and school board members.
At their Oct. 8 meeting, board members approved goals for 2018-19 to include the Focus 3 process to improve school culture, in addition to other initiatives.
“This process will be all-inclusive for all buildings and all personnel,” said board President David Harper. “The board will support the continued focus on academic improvement.”
Superintendent William Mullett said Focus 3 is a self-improvement process already in use by football players and coaches.
“About two years ago, we had an in-service and (the program) seemed to resonate with us and seemed really efficient,” he reported. “Ohio State is really deep into it.
“It is about concrete advice, and there are various steps to the program, such as the first, which tells you to learn to ‘press pause’ before saying something or taking action. Administrators went through two in-services, and we wanted to bring it to the whole district.”
Athletic Director Matt Adams said Coach Shaun Buescher implemented the program for the benefit of the football team.
“It was a perfect fit for core values,” said Adams. “It was perfect for not only the coaches, but players as well. Now the teachers are going to learn it. I am really excited to see it happen throughout the district as well.”
In addition to improving school culture, the board set two other goals for the current school year.
They asked the treasurer and superintendent to provide a comprehensive plan to address financial stability for the present year and all those covered in the five-year forecast.
“The plan will include strategies for our current and future levies, as well as a needs assessment to include a master facilities plan,” Harper said.
Board members are also starting an initiative to improve and expand public relations efforts.
“This initiative, in particular, will focus on a more robust relationship with the village and any other entity including, but not limited to, our business community and other public agencies,” Harper said.
