Before seniors at Gillett High School flip the tassel of their mortarboards to alumni status on Sunday, they walked down memory lane with some of the people who shaped their path in education.
The Gillett School District provides a unique opportunity for each graduating senior to offer input to the School Board at small-group meetings. The district started the program about 15 years ago.
“We get feedback from the seniors on what their experience has been here. We gather information on how the educational system has worked for them,” School Board member Cliff Gerbers said.
Gerbers said every senior is invited, and 90 percent or better respond.
“We ask them if they think they’re ready for the next step,” Gerbers said. “They’re not afraid to talk to us, and we feel comfortable with them. It’s a chance for them to kick the cat, so to speak.”
For the 2014 graduates, the meetings took place last week.
“It shows they’re willing to listen to you and want to make a difference,” senior Korey Badeau said.
Senior Eric Fischer said he appreciated having the interviews open to all graduates.
“It’s not just the athletes or top five kids in the class,” he said.
“It gives everyone the opportunity to tell how their high school years are,” Karisa Rasmussen said.
According to Gerbers, the board uses the information to improve the district.
“We’ve effected change with this,” he said.
School Board member John Timm said he enjoyed hearing from the students.
“It was interesting to hear the likes and dislikes and how they thought things could be changed,” he said. “I think it gives them a chance to open up and say, ‘I got a lot out of this project,’ or ‘This really wasn’t what I expected it to be’ or ‘This really worked for me.’ ”
Gerbers said each class brings something different to the table, and each student has a unique plan for the future.
“It’s fun to see over the course of the years what each class does,” he said.
He said the interview is not an opportunity for students to evaluate staff, but students can express their appreciation for staff members, like first-year Principal Steve Linssen.
“He’s willing to work with us and encourages us to do new things,” senior class president Brianna Lemirande said.
Badeau said the interviews show the School Board is willing to make changes.
“They make a new rule and then hear stuff about it. They can amend it and make it even better,” Badeau said.
“They’re trying out new things, even if it doesn’t always work,” Rasmussen said.
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