District 211 to embark on new strategic plan

In response to a school board member's request, Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 Superintendent Dan Cates Thursday proposed a time frame in which a new strategic financial plan for the district can be implemented.

Cates said the district already has a process of continuous planning, reviewing and strategic thinking. But he welcomed the opportunity to take that process to a new level.

He suggested that the board meetings of February, March and April be used for a comprehensive review of where District 211 is in its planning.

In May, a newly reorganized, postelection school board would then begin to define the process for a new strategic plan.

Cates suggested a yearlong process using a committee structure that would combine the insights of district administrators with members of the public.

Several board members expressed satisfaction with the concept — particularly Member Anna Klimkowicz, who had suggested in December that the time had come to talk seriously about the district's long deferred strategic plan.

Klimkowicz felt that having such a plan would provide something in writing to point to when explaining to the public such financial decisions as property tax levy increases or capital improvements like new swimming pools.

She suggested adding student athletics and activities to the list of topics Cates planned to cover in the coming review, and that communication be kept a top priority.

But overall, she said the process addressed all the criteria she felt were important.

“I'd really like to thank Dr. Cates. I think this is the direction we need to be going in,” Klimkowicz said. “This is just an excellent process that you've laid out for us.”