School District 20 is currently working on developing district directions, a strategic plan that will help guide district decisions for the next three to four years.
The board hasn’t gone through the strategic planning process since 2003, so on Nov. 2, the board began the process by hosting an event for staff.
“We had representatives from the KCTU — the Kootenay Columbia Teacher’s [Union] — from the CUPE, principals, vice-principals, teachers. So we had almost 200 people,” said Teri Ferworn, board of education chair.
The board asked teachers and staff about what they wanted to see in the classroom, and asked teachers what kind of involvement they’d like to see from parents.
“Teachers were saying things like, ‘Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep. Make sure they come with breakfast in their belly. Make sure they do their homework. Make sure you read to them,’” said Ferworn.
The process of developing the district directions will eventually include parents, students and the general public.
The first opportunity for parents to participate in contributing to the district directions will be Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kootenay-Columbia Learning Centre Trail campus (2001 Third Ave.), in the gym. PACs can select up to eight parents from their school to attend (DPAC can select up to four parents) and must then forward their names to Donna Nicoletti at dnicoletti@sd20.bc.ca by Thursday, Jan. 21.
“We’re going to ask them the same [types of] questions we asked the teachers,” said Ferworn. “What does a teacher look like? What do you want your child’s teacher to be like?”
High school students will also have a chance to share their input sometime after the board finishes speaking with parents. The general public will most likely have a chance to attend a meeting sometime in March, and the whole process should be finished by June.
“We’ll set a mission statement and a vision, and then we’ll set a few goals to be achieved over the next three to five years,” said Ferworm.
The mission statement, vision and goals will then guide the board in making decisions and setting its budget.