St. Charles Dist. 303 wants all involved in 'summit'

St. Charles School District 303 next month is launching an ambitious, strategic-planning effort that administrators hope will involve hundreds of residents over the course of a year.

"Summit 303" is what officials are calling the series of "community-engagement" sessions, set to begin Nov. 8 with a public forum at Charlestowne Mall and end in about a year with a list of recommendations about the future of the district.

The school board has agreed to pay a communications firm $11,000 a month to head up the project.

"It is a very ambitious process, but one I think hopefully will start bringing this community together with a common understanding of what they'd like in the schools," Superintendent Don Schlomann said Friday.

More than 300 people already have signed up to attend the first monthly meeting, planned for 7 to 9 p.m. on the lower level of the mall, 3800 E. Main St., which is donating the use of space near the movie theater.

Schlomann said participants will be assigned tables and asked to discuss a variety of topics, including student achievement, growth, facilities, finance, communications and technology. Beyond that, Schlomann said, the "agenda is wide open.

"All of these are sessions that will build on each other as we move forward," he said, adding that participants will be given "homework," too.

By next year, those involved will be expected to have used data and opinions from the sessions to develop a comprehensive, long-range plan that would be presented to the school board.

The meetings are open to anyone, including parents, students, business owners and retirees. Registration is not required, but it is encouraged. To register, or for more information, call (630) 513-3030 or send an e-mail to summit303@d303.org.

If you go

What: Summit 303 meeting

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 8

Where: Charlestowne Mall, 3800 E. Main St., enter at the lower level near theater

Register: Call (630) 513-3030 or e-mail summit303@d303.org