Innovative Ideas to Tackle the Issues at Hand...
 

We must develop a District-wide long range plan.
This must include demographics, forecasting in youth development, real estate research, plan future school sites based on demographic and growth models, athletics facilities planning, arts program development and expansions, technology growth, transportation plans and so much more. While we will have to solve some problems with short-term solutions (band-aids), we must make sure we are not wasting money and that short-term solution must fit within the overall plan.

It is also key that all patrons have the opportunity to be involved in the process of the plan development. The ideas and vision of the community is critical as we all must be onboard and working toward a common goal.

We need to rethink our elementary school sizing model.
We cannot open new schools already beyond their planned capacity. This is poor planning and shows a lack of research into the growth trends in our market. Only by adequately planning for the schools sizes and populations can we phase out portable buildings and get our children in a solid learning environment.

*Note: The Board has just recently started to discuss that failure of their model with the discussions on additional portables and building additions. Interesting timing, don't you think?
 

We need to revisit the policies for addressing and communicating with the Board.
We should all be working together. No one or even five people have all the answers. We need to all be communicating and working together to develop the best learning environment for our young people. The Board is elected by the patrons and that is who they serve. Everyone should have a voice.

As a Board member, I want to initiate the concept of Town Hall meetings to gain input and allow constant communication with the patrons of the District. Until such time, I have started an online version of this concept. Please visit my Deer Creek Online Town Hall Meeting site and let me know what you are thinking!

 
Communications is a key District-wide.
Not only does the Board need to ensure the lines of communication are open from Board and Administration level, but we also must make sure these same principles are in place at each school, in each classroom and within each program.
 
Innovative financing must be researched.
Until the tax base catches up with our growth, Deer Creek is going to have to think outside the box for financing. It is the Board's responsibility to maintain the fiscal integrity and the Board must also lead the way in seeking out new and innovative financing possibilities.