“Engage. Empower. Inspire.”

It’s only three words, but important ones, according to a community committee charged with making a recommendation for a new mission statement for Austin Public Schools.

Superintendent Dave Krenz said the last time the mission statement was updated was about eight years ago.

It’s important to review the statement periodically, he said.

“Over time, if you don’t continually reinforce (the meaning) … that message is lost,” he said.

A survey about what should be included in a mission statement was sent to district staff, parents and students, Krenz said, and 300 were returned. A word cloud generator sifted through the responses to bring most-used words to the forefront.

With those in hand, a group brainstormed  “a lot of ideas,” with the result being the three words, “Engage. Empower. Inspire.”

If they sound somewhat familiar, they should. The current mission statement — a mission statement sets forth guiding principles for the district — says, “Engaging and empowering all learners for life.”

Some board members seemed to like the three-word statement; board member Don Leathers, however, said he felt as if the three words were the prelude to a sentence that should follow.

Krenz said the committee will receive feedback and weigh whether the three words “get a positive response or not,” Krenz said. He will keep the board apprised of the results and then next step.

In other business Monday, the board:

• Custodians: Approved a two-year union contract with district custodians. They will receive a 5.15 percent total package increase in salary and benefits in the first year, and 4.10 percent in the second, for an overall 9.25 percent total package. They will receive one sick day a month for a total of 12 per year. The contract was ratified by the union earlier this month.

• Paraeducators: Approved a two-year union contract with district paraeducators. They will receive a 5.25 percent total wage and benefit package increase in the first year and 3.55 percent in the second, for a total, two-year increase of 8.80 percent. They will earn one sick day a month for 10 per year. They also agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding for incentive pay for attendance and personal leave time. The union ratified the contract earlier this month.

•Food Service: Approved a two-year union contract with district food service employees. They will receive a 4.80 percent total wage and benefit package increase in the first year and 4.17 percent in the second, for a total, two-year increase of 8.97 percent. Sick pay will also be earned at a rate of one per month. The contract was ratified.