The School District 27 board on Tuesday released a schedule for what the public can expect as it develops a new long-term plan for the district.
The schedule outlines the guiding principles the board has developed for strategic planning and work being done April through June to identify principles and issues of importance to guide conversation during the public consultation process that will take place between September 2012 and January 2013.
Chair William Van Osch said the board would keep the public updated as the process unfolds. Trustee Jackie Austin added that the guiding principles are not prioritized and that the options presented for public consultation in September will be very initial and open to public input. The guiding principles for strategic planning are encapsulated in four categories: excellence in education; choice and opportunity; clear and transparent communication; sound and efficient fiscal management; and embracing the district’s unique factors of rural and remote schools, geography, and cultural diversity.
Five steps have been outlined for identifying principles and issues of importance to guide public conversation. The first three steps have been completed including reviewing previous research and reports; developing the guiding principles; and sharing the timeline with principals, union representatives and the district parent advisory council and now the public.
The fourth and fifth components will be to review information received from the Student Voice survey done in the district during April and developing initial options for a report that will be reviewed by the board and presented to the public at the Sept. 25 board meeting.
Public workshops on proposed options will be presented at the Williams Lake Secondary gymnasium on Oct. 2 and at the 100 Mile House Junior Secondary gymnasium on Oct. 4.
Out of the Box think tanks will be held at the Columneetza gymnasium Oct. 25; the Peter Skene Ogden gymnasium on Oct. 23; and at the Alexis Creek School on Oct. 16.
Sessions for additional feedback based on the workshops and out of the box sessions may also be scheduled. A written summary of feedback from all sources will be prepared in December and decisions are scheduled to be made by the board in January 2013.
Updates will be provided by the board at regular board meetings.
More information on the process is also available on the district website at www.sd27.bc.ca.