From Vision to Action: A Strategic Planning Experience for District Leadership Teams

Program Overview

In today’s complex and rapidly evolving educational landscape, districts are challenged to prioritize effectively while remaining responsive to the needs of their students, staff, and communities.

Join us for this full-day, in-person leadership institute, offered in partnership by TMI Education and NJPSA/FEA/LEGAL ONE, designed to provide district leadership teams with the time, structure, and expert guidance needed to explore a proven strategic planning methodology applicable to district-specific priorities and initiatives.

Through interactive, collaborative activities, participants will engage in an inclusive, data-informed planning process that moves from understanding current reality to defining a clear vision, identifying gaps, establishing priorities, and building the foundation for meaningful, actionable implementation.

Program Outcomes & Benefits

This full-day program will:

• Provide participating individuals and district leadership teams with dedicated time and expert guidance to develop a practical understanding of the key components of strategic planning and how they can be applied to district-specific priorities critical to student success and future readiness.

• Build capacity to:

  • Facilitate a broader district-wide strategic planning process independently; or 

  • Develop a deeper understanding of strategic planning to engage more effectively in a consultant-guided process tailored to their community’s needs.

By the end of the session, participants will have a practical understanding of how to:

• Define a priority area of focus aligned with district needs and priorities

• Analyze current reality using data, stakeholder input, and other sources of evidence

• Develop shared belief statements aligned with community values

• Identify the key steps necessary to ensure that district policies, protocols, and practices align with legal requirements

• Create a mission statement that communicates purpose and direction

• Establish observable indicators of success to define a desired future state

• Conduct a gap analysis comparing current reality to desired outcomes

• Identify long-range strategic goals grounded in evidence and stakeholder values

• Develop annual objectives that support measurable progress toward strategic goals

• Build actionable implementation plans designed to support successful execution

Program Agenda

*Note: Program Agenda is subject to refinement.

Recommended Audience

This program is for individual participants and district leadership teams, including:

• Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents

• Principals and Assistant Principals

• Directors of Curriculum, Instruction, Technology, or Student Services

• School Business Administrators and Operational Leaders

• Directors of Public Relations/Communications 

• BOE representatives and other key stakeholders involved in strategic planning and decision-making

Registration Fees

• Early Registration Thru July 31, 2026

  • Individual = $175 per participant

  • Teams of 3 or More = $150 per participant
    

• Standard Registration Starts August 1, 2026 

  • Individual = $195 per participant

  • Teams of 3 or More = $175 per participant

For more information, email support@tmieducation.com.

NOTE: All purchase orders are to be issued to The Madison Institute, LLC (d.b.a. TMI Education) and emailed to support@tmieducation.com.

Program Presenters

Peg McDonald, Ed.D.

Coordinator of Professional Learning and Special Projects, NJPSA/FEA

Dr. Peg McDonald has worked at the NJ Department of Education in the roles of Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acting Assistant Commissioner, and finally, Assistant Commissioner, in the Division of Student Services. Overseeing services to students who are eligible for Title 1, bilingual/ESL education, gifted education, special education and interventions and referral, she has worked to engage schools in the coordination of all supports and interventions through tiered systems of support. Peggy started at the department as a consultant for the Deaf and held various positions in the Office of Special Education Programs before becoming director. She was a teacher of the deaf and speech correctionist and holds certifications as a learning consultant and supervisor.

David Nash, Esq.

Director of Legal Education and National Outreach, NJPSA/FEA/LEGAL ONE

Mr. Nash currently serves as Director of Legal Education and National Outreach for the Foundation for Educational Administration. His responsibilities include coordinating the efforts of FEA to promote its wide array of professional learning courses, events, programs, and services nationally. Mr. Nash is also responsible for overseeing legal education through the LEGAL ONE (Law, Ethics, Governance for All Leaders, including an Overview of New and Emerging issues) program. LEGAL ONE is an innovative program that provides school law professional development for school leaders and other educators. From 2003 to 2011, Mr. Nash served as legal counsel for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. In that role, Mr. Nash provided legal assistance to NJPSA members for legal issues arising out of the performance of their duties. Mr. Nash also served as Assistant Director of Government Relations for NJPSA from 1994 to 2003. He currently teaches graduate-level school law courses at Ramapo College and has previously taught at Rutgers University and New Jersey City University. Mr. Nash received his B.A. from Rutgers University and graduated with High Honors from Rutgers Law School in 2003. While at Rutgers Law School, he served as an editor for the Rutgers Law Review. His prior civic involvement includes six years’ service as a member of the Old Bridge Board of Education, including two years as board president, and service on the Board of Trustees for both Healing the Children New Jersey and Advocates for Children of New Jersey.

Richard Panicucci

Chief Executive Officer and SVP, Strategic Planning Division, The Madison Institute (d.b.a., TMI Education)

Throughout his nearly 35 years in education, Rich has served as a teacher, administrator, adjunct professor, and educational consultant, with deep expertise in pedagogical innovation and strategic visioning and planning. As a long-time central office administrator and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, he has led numerous long-range strategic planning initiatives and the development and implementation of high-impact programs.

Rich has also designed and led partnerships with industry and local universities, resulting in the creation of innovative secondary dual enrollment programs that prepare students for emerging fields such as mechatronics and user experience (UX) design. In addition, he has authored several publications focused on inquiry-based instruction and professional learning.

Since TMI Education’s founding in 1999, Rich has served as Lead Consultant. In 2019, he was appointed Senior Vice President to lead TMI’s Strategic Visioning and Planning Division, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s growth and strengthening its reputation as a trusted, client-centered partner. In recognition of his leadership, accomplishments, and longstanding contributions, Rich was named CEO of TMI Education in 2024.

Anthony Petruzzelli, Ed. D.

Consultant, NJPSA/FEA

Dr. Petruzzelli is a lifelong New Jersey Public School Educator.  He has served as a Middle School Teacher, Elementary School Principal, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of Schools over a 35-year career.  He has pursued two key passions in his educational career.  One is the creation, development, and support of Response to Intervention and Multi-Tier Systems of Supports for academics and social, emotional, and behavioral needs in schools.  The other is Implementation Science and its applications in schools, which was the topic of his doctoral dissertation.  As a consultant and coach, he continues to support districts, schools, and individual educators in their professional goals.