Input sought on top priorities for D15 schools
The Navigate15 Facilitating Team has identified the top priorities for the Palatine Township Elementary School District 15 and scheduled six meetings in the next six months to seek public input on each of the priorities.
The Navigate15 Facilitating Team developed the list after analysis of feedback it received from more than 150 residents, parents, and staff members at the first Navigate15 community engagement session Nov. 16 at Winston Campus in Palatine.
The meeting included an overview of the process from team co-chairs Cannon Koo and Joan Scovic and an outline of past and current realities by Superintendent Scott Thompson. Participants broke into small groups for discussion, rating the top three priorities for the district. Based on that, the Navigate15 Facilitating Team set the priorities that will be addressed at future meetings:
• Jan. 18 — World-Class Curriculum: What does it look like and how much is present in District 15?
• Feb. 15 — Our Students: Demographics, class sizes, and what they mean for learning?
• March 29 — Technology: What is expected for the 21st Century?
• April 25 — Facilities: What are the district's needs, and how are they affected by population growth?
• May 31 — Finances: School Finances 101 and planning for the future
• June 21 — Final Recommendations: Creating an Executive Summary for the Board of Education
All Navigate15 community engagement sessions will be held from 7-9 p.m. in the cafeteria at Winston Campus, 900 E. Palatine Road.
The goal of Navigate15 is to make parents, residents, and business leaders part of the process of determining the future of the district by opening the lines of communication between the district and the communities it serves. Navigate15 meetings are intended to provide the community the information it needs to make recommendations to the district board regarding a comprehensive plan for improving the performance of the district.
Upcoming meetings will open with a presentation, after which those present will break into small groups to discuss the topic and complete a work activity related to it. Groups will report their findings, which the team will use to determine the consensus and priorities on each issue. These conclusions will be used to craft a list of recommendations for the board to consider as it updates the strategic plan.
Widespread community involvement is vital to the success of the process, Koo and Scovic said.
The District's website has reports on the process, with links to a PowerPoint presentation on the district, findings from group activities, and answers to questions residents submitted. Those interested in future sessions are asked to send contact information to navigate15@ccsd15.net, or call (847) 963-3210.