Results are In: Topic Suggestions for 2024-2025 Community Conversations

Lakota Local Schools recently ran a ThoughtExchange online survey to gather input about possible topics for this year’s Community Conversations program. Since 2012, the Lakota Board of Education has sought feedback from the community on various topics using this unique format. 

The Board’s community engagement committee members, Kelley Casper and Doug Horton, wanted to hear from families, residents, staff and students about topics that were important to them. The ThoughtExchange ran from Aug. 27 through Sept. 5 and asked participants, “What topic would you like the Lakota Board of Education to consider for this year's line-up of Community Conversations?” Two hundred fifty-seven participants shared and rated 164 thoughts. 

The responses spanned a wide range of themes including class sizes, facilities and staffing. Other topics included school safety, mental health, cell phone policies and curriculum. Two of the suggested themes, gifted services and special education, were discussed during community conversations last year. Cell phone policies and school safety are already slated to be on this year’s schedule.

Community engagement committee members reviewed the results at their September meeting. With the Board and District moving forward with master facilities planning, discussions surrounding class sizes, facilities and staffing will be a part of that work. Following the community conversation about the District’s cell phone policy on Sept. 25, the tentative schedule includes:

• November: English learner families 
• January: School Safety
• Spring: Master Facilities, including class sizes, facilities and staffing

Once finalized, dates will be shared with the community through the District’s communication channels.

The community is encouraged to participate in the current ThoughtExchange leading up to the cell phone conversation. The exchange is open through 5 p.m. on Sept. 20. To assist the District in planning for the conversation, which will take place from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at West Freshman, attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Sept. 20.