District 158 seeking strategic plan input through community forums

Huntley-area residents can provide input on Huntley Community School District 158's new strategic plan through a series of community engagement forums this fall and winter.

More than 200 people attended the first two-hour session Tuesday at Huntley High School where district officials shared the state of the district.

Attendees learned about District 158's programs, curriculum, staffing and finances, and participated in interactive activities aimed at developing goals for the next five years.

"Basically, it is to set priorities, guide where the district focuses its resources, attention," said Shawn McCusker, community co-chairman for Destination 158 Committee. "Our opening community engagement session was geared toward collecting information about what people think is valuable and important."

Among the topics discussed at the meeting were focusing on the social and emotional health of students, supporting and understanding the diversity of the community, supporting the district's dual language program, and developing different career pathways for students.

"This initial workshop was designed to gather topics so we can organize a discussion on the different areas," McCusker said. "There isn't a set structure or topic that we are going to cover. It is very much collecting and responding to community need."

Future sessions are scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 10 at Huntley High School, 13719 Harmony Road. A separate session for residents of Del Webb's Sun City active adult community is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 29 in the Drendel Ballroom of the Sun City Prairie Lodge, 12860 Del Webb Blvd.

Each session will include an informational presentation about the academic and financial direction of the district.

Representatives from McHenry County College, the local business community and chamber of commerce also are invited to participate.

Feedback gathered from these sessions will be used by the Destination 158 Committee to draft a five-year strategic plan that will be presented to the school board in June. Committee members include teachers, union representatives, community members, Del Webb residents, parents from all levels of district schools and those who represent students with special needs, the chamber of commerce, and a few school board members.

To RSVP for the sessions, call (847) 659-6103. For more information about Destination 158, visit district158.org/destination158.