Wentzville Schools' Guiding Principles Project
February 13, 2008
Wentzville
by Brendan Kolk
The Wentzville School District has been hosting a series of meetings at Timberland High School for parents and stakeholders in the district. The meetings will be held to discuss the direction of the district.
“Are we moving in the right direction?” is the title of a flyer sent by the district. The district has given the meetings the title of “GPS,” an acronym for both “Goals, Priorities and Standards” and Guiding Principles for our Schools.”
The co-chairs of the meetings are Pat Hacker and Clark Kessler. Hacker has been, according to the Wentzville School District website, “extremely active in the community.” She has served as the president of the Mother’s Club of Lake Saint Louis and the Lake Saint Louis Tennis Association. Kessler is a member of Superintendent Terry Adams’ round table.
A 12-person facilitating team was assembled for the meetings as well. The team is made of employees of the district and members of the community. “We are hoping for parent and community turn out, so that we can use suggestions to raise the Wentzville School District to the next level,” said Ben Hebisen, member of the facilitating team.
The first meeting was held on Feb. 19, and it focused on student achievement and technology is the district. Walking into Timberland participants were assigned a table number to sit at with about six other people.
The first 90 minutes of the meeting were spent on analyzing a 30-page packet of information. The packets painted a picture of a school district which could be improved, showing MAP and ACT scores lower than other districts in the graphs. Also included were graphs on class sizes, teacher salary averages and technology information when compared to selected school districts.
The last 30 minutes of the meeting were given for the tables of citizens to discuss the graphs, offer a list of highest concerns and suggestions on how to improve the district in these areas.
Three more meetings are scheduled, all to be held at Timberland High School from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.:
Mar. 11—Discussions on demographics, enrollment and facilities
Apr. 15—Discussions on finance and staffing
May 13—Discussions on communications, security and transportation.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town