The Bayfield School District is beginning a months-long strategic planning process, and it’s looking to the community for help. The district held its first public brainstorming workshop on Saturday to begin establishing future priorities for Bayfield’s schools.
A group of about 60 came up with a range of priorities, including 21st century learning and technology, continued support of extracurriculars, professional development for teachers and bolstered trade and vocational programs in the district, said Shannon Morris, a kindergarten teacher who participated in the daylong session.
The event helped start communications flowing among a broad cross section of Bayfield residents, including community members, former students, teachers and parents, said Timothy Stumpf, a district parent who also participated.
Next in the strategic planning process will be a second planning meeting Feb. 11, which will focus on refining the district’s priorities and beginning work on specific action plans for each one, said Troy Zabel, district superintendent.
Task forces will continue to build these action plans during the next few months and aim to have a final product by April, Zabel said.
The last strategic plan was created in 2002. While the plan isn’t necessarily a precursor to putting a mill levy or bond issue on the ballot, it will have budget implications, Zabel said.
After the final document is created, another committee will be charged with continuously monitoring progress.
“Their charge will be to keep it alive,” Zabel said.
