What Will TD Schools Look Like in 2027?
By Tom Peterson
D21 Superintendent Carolyn Bernal
About 70 people attended or watched The North Wasco County School District’s first of several strategic planning meetings to develop a five-year vision for the district on Tuesday, March 1st.
And the redevelopment of The Dalles High School or a new school never came up.
While that could eventually enter the conversation in months to come, the District is taking a holistic approach to gather information and find what is needed to provide a good education to local students.
And it’s waiting for input from the community to guide those decisions.
“This will guide district decision making and investments over the next five years,” Superintendent Carolyn Bernal told the crowd of 20 that attended in-person at The Dalles Middle School.
Jack McLaughlin with Public Consulting Group has been hired to assist in gathering data and information for the strategic plan.
“What do we want for our students… Think about 2027; What do we envision North Wasco County Scholl District to be once we get to that year,” she questioned.
At the meeting, Public Consulting Group’s Jack McLaughlin laid out the road map in developing the five-year plan through input from local residents.
“We’ll align all of that thinking with all of the stakeholders in the community to figure out what that looks like and what kind of investments Dr. Bernal mentioned that we need to be making,” he said.
This image shows the four groups that will be utilized in developing a strategic plan for North Wasco County School District during the next five to six months.
McLaughlin has worked in a consulting capacity with 400 different schools, according to his resume. And he noted that North Wasco County School District would be his fifth such consultation in the Gorge.
The District intends to work with community stakeholders, teachers, students, local leaders, and families fluent in English and Spanish to drive decisions during the next five months as the plan rolls through several phases of work:
- Launch and planning, Feb. - March
- Community conversation and reviewing data, Feb. - April
- Developing the strategic vision and goals, April - May
- Creating the final strategic plan, June - Aug.
All were welcome to assist in the work and offer their ideas.
Above is the another way locals can reach out and give input into the strategic plan. Use the email above.
“On March 7, we will host a series of focus groups,” said D21 Communication Director Stephanie Bowen.
She said community partners will be able to sign up via Google form on the district's website.
A survey to gather information from community members will roll out on March. 7.
The District is also poised to roll out an online survey starting on March 7 and it will be available on its website, she added.
A second meeting on the progress of the group is expected in Spring or Summer, she said.
After the meeting’s end several participants offered the following suggestions and comments:
Students may need a more stimulating alternative or advanced curriculum. They spoke about there being a lot of focus on the students who may be struggling academically, particularly in light of COVID, and what resources/assistance the District could offer. They would like to see an equal focus/opportunity for students on the other end of the spectrum.
The District is very facilities challenged, not only for school-sanctioned activities but for youth activities as a whole.
The importance of integrating cultural equity and embracing cultural heritage with respect to our Native American students and families was pointed out.
One person asked about what kind of feedback the district is interested in. “The answer to this one being, any and all. We are in the information-gathering stage, all input is welcome,” said Bowen.
