Bibb County students had the day off on Monday, while teachers were busy engaging in Superintendent Dr. Romain Dallemand's strategic planning process.

Dallemand invited every employee in the school district and community members to participate in changing the educational direction.

"Today is a day to generate positive ideas so we can minimize and eliminate all of the obstacles," says Dallemand.

Developing new ideas and finding ways to meet the needs of students are top priorities for the first planning session.

Dallemand added, "We want to have a plan that will be the Macon miracle."

Mayor Robert Reichert was also in attendance to share his ideas and said, "I think it's a stroke of genius on Dr. Dallemand's part to announce this to everybody at the same time and to invite participation in it."

Dallemand hopes the plan will ensure all students receive a high quality education.

"We strongly believe that everyone has something to share that is valuable, crucial and important," says Dallemand.

He has already asked for support on a few changes. Dallemand wants to allow students to choose the school they attend, have year-round school to combat "brain drain," and make sure students are proficient in three languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, and technology.

The meeting at the Macon Centreplex included close to 4,000 teachers and community members. Dallemand hopes to release the strategic plan by January 2012.