By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
After a year of working through various proposals, the Burlington Area School District took the first step toward a long-range facilities plan Jan. 14.
Led by Louis Birchbauer of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, members of the BASD staff, School Board and community members sat down for the first meeting of what Birchbauer called “Stakeholder Driven Strategic Planning” in the Burlington High School library.
“We’re going to take you right into the meat of things,” Birchbauer said at the start of the meeting, which was technically hosted by the district’s long-range planning committee.
Birchbauer said the goal was get to facilities to match educational goals, with “new insights and understandings” to deal with the future.
To help facilitate that, community members included Mangold Insurance’s Jamie Mangold, Terry Simmons of Gateway Technical College, Jim Bauman (with ties to Love. Inc.) and Rick Fettes.
BASD staff included several teachers and principals, but also custodian Mark Pieters and Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Gary Olsen.
The School Board was also present, as was BASD Superintendent Peter Smet.
The group looked over data provided in a 3-inch-thick, 3-ring binder, which included district data. Then, the members divided into four groups to perform a SOAR analysis – strengths, opportunities, aspirations and resources within the district.
“You need to know this is a plan you are developing,” said Birchbauer, adding that it would last 3-5 years.
The groups identified several positives – like the relatively new high school – as well as aspirations for smaller class sizes and strong PTO groups.
“Good schools and community go hand in hand,” Olsen said.
The group determined it wanted the district to educate each child up to his or her abilities, and focus on the individual.
The next meeting is set for Jan. 28 at 7 p.m., again in the BHS library. The goal will be to finalize a community survey and take a more in-depth look at the district data.
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