Community Participation Invited in Planning Process

District 200 is starting a planning process that is expected to set the direction of the District for the foreseeable future. Because the outcome will help determine the kind of programs and services that are offered to students in the years ahead, the involvement of many community members is invited. Opportunities for participation are available in each of the District’s 20 schools and at other selected locations throughout February. If you are interested in participating in a two-hour focus group session, please contact the school district office at 630/682-2000.

Several years ago the Board of Education embraced a philosophy of moving District 200 from good to great, based on the principles described in Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great. To give guidance to the District’s continuous improvement efforts as identified in the book, the Board of Education set as one of its three high priority goals for the year the development of a new vision and mission statement based on the beliefs and values of the entire community.

During the focus group meetings, participants will be asked to give their thoughts on a series of questions. That information and a short questionnaire to be completed by each participant will be used to develop a community survey that will be administered in the spring. The survey questions will directly address the priorities, beliefs and values that residents have for their local public schools.

Information from the focus groups and the survey will subsequently be used by the Board of Education and administration as the basis for developing a new vision and mission statement. These statements will provide the framework for future planning efforts and guide the Board in its decision making.

The Board embarked on this plan as it faced a fourth year of budget reductions with the knowledge that the cuts would impact teaching and learning across the District. Before doing that, members agreed they must have a community discussion to determine the programs and services residents value most. The focus groups provide that opportunity and, again, those interested in this discussion are encouraged to participate by calling 630/682-2000.

District 200 Focus Groups

February 2005

School Focus Groups

Additional Focus Group Sessions