Bringing Vision 2035 to Life: A Commitment to Community and Collaboration

Above is the highlight video of the Vision 2035 community-oriented Quarterly Strategic Plan Meeting.

The Long Beach Unified School District hosted its community-oriented Quarterly Strategic Plan Meeting at Browning High School in December, bringing together staff, community and students surrounding the district’s 2024-29 Strategic Plan. Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker, a visionary leader deeply committed to excellence and equity, opened the event with a powerful message about the importance of this work. “It’s an opportunity for us to pause and really listen to the community voice that helps to inform our strategic plan. It’s for us to actually have that two-way communication with members of our community and students, to assure that we’re not having gaps in what we understand from the community as we think about the work of our strategic plan.”

During the meeting, which lasted about five hours, LBUSD Board of Education President Diana Craighead, Vice-President Douglas Otto and Board members Maria Isabel Lopez, Erik Miller and Dr. Juan Benitez took part and observed the work in action. While not all members were present simultaneously, each demonstrated their commitment to Vision 2035 by engaging with staff, partners and community members.

Pictured above, from left to right, Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker, Cynde Soto, Sharon Diggs-Jackson and Brenda Soriano-Villa.

Attendees were inspired by the heartfelt and empowering messages shared by our guest speakers, Cynde Soto, Sharon Diggs-Jackson and Brenda Soriano-Villa. Representing the Disabled, Black and Multicultural communities, their TED-Talk-style presentations reinforced the essence of Vision 2035—building a future rooted in inclusivity, growth and transformation. Their stories resonated deeply, offering fresh perspectives on how we can work together with our community to Create a Better Future Together.

Throughout the meeting, teams engaged in meaningful discussions focused on advancing the goals of the 2024-29 Strategic Plan. These collaborative sessions highlighted the emerging strategies and innovative solutions, emphasizing the collective effort needed to bring Vision 2035 to life. By sharing insights and celebrating milestones, participants reinforced their shared commitment to creating a more inclusive, transformative future for all students. 

The meeting concluded with a reflective closing session, sparking calls to action and underscoring our unwavering commitment to fostering understanding, collaboration and unity districtwide. Together, we can continue to lay the foundation for a brighter future, one step at a time.