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Dist. 211 launching community forums

In preparation for the drafting of a new five-year strategic plan this fall, Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 will begin soliciting public input at a pair of community engagement meetings early next week.

The meetings will address the topic of the "state of the district," from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at Fremd High School, 1000 S. Quentin Road in Palatine, and at the same time Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Schaumburg High School, 1100 W. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg.

Both meeting will present the same information and opportunity for participation.

These meetings, and six more planned through May, will be overseen by the three co-chairs of a facilitating team - Peter Carlson, Linda Reedy and Jose Skrobot. All three are parents in the district with experience working with large groups.

"I think we're kind of reflective of the (facilitating team) members as a whole," Carlson said.

Reedy said the meetings will begin with a brief presentation followed by small-group discussions.

She's been telling potential attendees that the discussions will drive the direction of the new strategic planning process, which is being called "The 211 of Tomorrow."

"They listen," Reedy said of district officials. "This isn't lip service."

In addition to his other responsibilities, Skrobot has been in charge of publicity and trying to get the word out about the forums every way he can. The first meetings will be the most important to sustaining interest, he said.

Superintendent Dan Cates said the amount of public input received will build the strength of the strategic plan. The plan will serve as a clearly stated guideline laying out the goals behind the district's future decisions regarding academics, extracurricular programs, student well-being, finances and facilities.

"We're hopeful we'll run out of chairs (for attendees)," he joked. "We realize our families have extremely busy lives. But our schools play such a critical role in the development of our young people as well as our community."

Future meetings and topics include: academic programming, on March 14 at Palatine High School and March 15 at Conant; student involvement and wellness, April 4 at Hoffman Estates High School and April 5 at Palatine; and finances and facilities, on May 2 at Conant and May 3 at Fremd.

There also will be electronic and telephone surveys in early May.

Though many of the responsibilities of a school district are inherent, a strategic plan makes sure the pursuit of specific goals is a communitywide effort, Cates said.

"This is an effort I believe in strongly," he said. "It helps to set a shared vision, course and direction. It makes sure our priorities are well known and shared."

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