Board approves consultant to lead district strategic planning process

Superintendent Dr. Ernest asked the board to consider a proposal to retain a professional facilitator, Joe Shader, who previously led the district’s 2017 strategic plan. The board discussed cost, timing and scope: members debated doing the facilitator-led session in August to produce a plan before the November timeline tied to district activities, or scheduling it in September or October if August dates are not available.

Board members raised the choice of a five-, seven- or ten-year planning horizon and questioned how to ensure key stakeholders and administrators could attend facilitator-led sessions; Dr. Ernest said the facilitator would work with staff to schedule stakeholder engagement and incorporate results from a district community survey (survey closes June 3; School Perceptions will present results on June 24). A motion to approve the facilitator contract was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.

Board discussion emphasized that a professional facilitator helps manage large-group work efficiently, and members asked for monthly progress updates on plan implementation once adopted.