St. Francis board proposes community engagement task force to guide long-term facilities planning

St. Francis Area Schools board members described a proposed community engagement task force on Sept. 8 to help set priorities for the district’s long-term facilities and grounds plan, and said SiteLogic would run the application and selection process. No formal vote was taken; board members said a future action item could follow if the board reaches consensus.

Member Schonrock, a board member, and a fellow board member presented the plan, saying it would gather stakeholders from across the district rather than focus on a single city. They said SiteLogic would facilitate meetings, manage applications for task force membership and assist with compiling engagement reports and facility tours.

Board members said the task force is designed to broaden input, reduce board bias in priority-setting, and build trust and transparency. Presenters said SiteLogic typically recommends at least 15 participants, with a “sweet spot” of 20–30 and experience facilitating groups up to 50. They also said there is currently no additional charge for that engagement under the district’s existing contract with SiteLogic.

Presenters told the board that districts that use SiteLogic often tie a community-engagement process to a later referendum or ballot question, sometimes immediately and sometimes years afterward. Members said the facility-and-grounds committee expects to bring a formal action later if the full board supports continuing the engagement.

There was no public comment or formal motion on the task force at the Sept. 8 meeting. Board members asked for no vote tonight and instead sought consensus to continue planning and community outreach.

The board packet lists related materials and said staff would return with a proposed timeline and any recommended next steps for board consideration.