The Oconto Falls School District will pull together up to 200 people next fall to help steer the district on its course for the next five to 10 years. The School Board on Monday agreed to contract with Patina Solutions, of Madison, for a process referred to as future search methodology.
Superintendent Dean Hess, who participated in the process in another school district, said it brings the community together and helps drive decisions for years.
“I know the positives that come out of that,” he said.
“I think it will be a very valuable experience with this board and the entire citizenry of the district,” School Board member Jan Stranz said.
Through this process, school personnel and community members look into the past, present and future of the district and develop a big-picture framework from which administrators make decisions.
Hess on Monday presented a budget forecast that showed a $388,000 deficit for the 2016-17 school year and $1.4 million deficit the following year. That’s when a three-year referendum that provided an additional $400,000 to the school district will end. These funds are being spent to repair roofs, attract and retain teachers, and supply individual laptops for students.
School Board President Ron Leja said the $30,000 contract with Patina Solutions looked daunting, especially considering the deficits projected for the district. However, as the district looks to pare down programs, the process could provide crucial direction, he said.
“We struggled with just a few decisions trying to get down $100,000,” Leja said, referring to previous budget cuts. “I see this as a necessary investment.”
“I think it’s the right time to do this,” added board member Clint Gardebrecht, noting that it will give direction for Hess, who is new to the school district. Plus, community involvement in the school district is at an all-time high, he said.
“The community engagement aspect of the process is critical,” he said.
Patina Solutions representative Drew Howick, speaking to the School Board on Dec. 14, said the process involves a group of 60 to 200 people who meet at a three-day conference to identify patterns and priorities for the district, then develop ways to implement the priorities. Laying the groundwork for the conference will be a design team composed of school administrators and other volunteers.
Hess said he was skeptical of the process when he initially participated and doubtful that assembling so many people could result in a positive outcome.
“It was amazing to me to watch the transformation,” he said.
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