Dr. Rizzo Saunders Releases Entry Plan

Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders, the newly appointed Superintendent of The Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD), has unveiled her 90-day entry plan. Officially starting her role on August 23, 2024, Dr. Rizzo Saunders' plan, titled “Listen, Learn, Lead,” outlines her strategic approach to understanding and enhancing the district’s academic and community environment.

Key Elements of the 90-Day Entry Plan:

1. Structured Engagement: The plan is segmented into 30, 60, and 90-day phases. During these periods, Dr. Rizzo Saunders will engage with students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members through interviews, focus groups, and surveys. She will also review district documents related to technology, budgets, and student achievement.
2. Focus on Listening and Learning: The initial phase emphasizes gathering comprehensive insights to appreciate what is unique about the KCSD community. This includes recognizing strengths, identifying challenges, and developing strategies to address academic, social, and emotional needs. Dr. Rizzo Saunders aims to foster a culture of honesty and integrity while developing a leadership strategy for the 2024-2025 school year.
3. Community Engagement: Dr. Rizzo Saunders will introduce herself to the larger Kennett community at the Kennett Mushroom Festival on September 7th and 8th. She will then begin an immersive several weeks in each school building to interact with students, teachers, and administrators from September 9th through November 8th. She will spend one week in each school beginning with the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center.
4. Ongoing Communication: At the end of the 90 days, Dr. Rizzo Saunders will present a report to the KCSD Board of Directors summarizing the feedback and insights gathered. The entry plan will be updated regularly and shared with the community through the KCSD website at www.kcsd.org/entryplan.

About Dr. Rizzo Saunders: Dr. Rizzo Saunders brings extensive experience in educational leadership from her previous role as Superintendent of the Contoocook Valley School District in New Hampshire, where she led eleven schools. Her achievements include being named one of four finalists for the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents Association (AASA) and receiving the Superintendent of the Year award in New Hampshire from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association. 

Dr. Rizzo Saunders is Ready to Begin: “By listening and learning, I will internalize and process information to support a culture of honesty and integrity, offering meaningful and constructive feedback,” she said. “This data will inform a leadership strategy that fosters engagement, assessment, and planning throughout the 2024-2025 school year.”

Board Response: David Kronenberg, President of the KCSD Board of Directors, expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Rizzo Saunders' entry plan. “This plan marks an exciting introduction of Dr. Rizzo Saunders to the KCSD and Kennett communities,” he said. “It sets the stage for a collaborative vision aimed at nurturing, preparing, and empowering every student.”

Access the Entry Plan: The full entry plan is available online and as a downloadable PDF in English and Spanish at www.kcsd.org/entryplan. A special introduction video to the plan is also available in English and Spanish at the website. Regular updates, including announcements and progress reports, will be posted on the same page.