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Board adopts MASB strategic‑planning timeline; community input sessions and survey set
Summary
MASB representatives previewed a district strategic‑planning process that includes stakeholder input sessions March 4, an online survey in top district languages open through March 28 and an all‑day strategic retreat April 26. The board and administration will receive a final plan for approval and will set implementation and monitoring steps.
The Okemos Board of Education discussed a strategic‑planning process facilitated by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). MASB representatives Debbie Stair and Kimberly Mayer outlined a multi‑step schedule that includes stakeholder input sessions, an online survey, a full‑day planning retreat and a post‑retreat implementation workshop.
Stair and Mayer described the needs‑assessment steps the team will use to gather data and stakeholder perspectives, noting the district will host in‑person input sessions for elementary staff, secondary staff, middle and high school students and community members, plus two virtual parent focus groups. A district‑wide survey will be available in the district’s top five languages and remain open through March 28. The survey and in‑person questions will match to permit integrated analysis.
The consultants said a community input session will be held March 4 and the consultant team will lead the district‑level retreat on April 26; the consultants asked trustees to save that date. The April 26 session will be an all‑day working meeting of roughly 40–45 invited stakeholders, including staff, community members and students; MASB said the board will participate in that retreat and will later be asked to approve the final plan and first‑year implementation objectives.
MASB representatives emphasized process design choices intended to encourage candid feedback: input sessions and surveys for staff, students and community members will be run without board members present. “If you're in the room, it changes what people say,” a consultant explained, saying staff and community members often share more candid input when board members are not physically present. The board was told it can suggest names or categories of stakeholders for invitation to the April 26 retreat, and that administrators will coordinate final invitations to maintain representative balance.
Trustees asked about outreach and translation: district communications coordinator Shannon Biscovich said the district will use targeted emails, newsletters, all‑calls and the district website to share the survey and session details; the administration will also provide a computer at the Administration Building for community members to submit the survey in person. Trustees asked that invitations include multiple times and formats to maximize participation; the consultants confirmed there will be both daytime and evening options and virtual catch‑alls.
The board will receive the input summary and the draft strategic plan for review and public comment before final approval. MASB will return for implementation support and to assist with monitoring options if the board requests it.
