Consultant: Fort Atkinson community engagement shows broad support as district shapes new strategic plan
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Summary
Consultant Paige Richards told the board that targeted sessions and a districtwide survey produced high turnout and a strengths-based set of ideas — from STEM to Spanish immersion — that will help frame the district’s five-year strategic plan.
Paige Richards, a leadership and facilitation consultant, told the School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education on Jan. 15 that targeted interviews with 16 stakeholder groups and a districtwide survey produced high attendance and largely positive feedback that the district can build on.
"I did not hear anyone coming in, not a single person coming in to say all of the things that they thought were wrong in this district," Richards said, describing participants as coming "with passion and care for the strengths that are here." She said student voice, particularly from the high school, surfaced often and that many interviewees urged greater district visibility in the community.
The engagement process included two consecutive days of sessions, school staff and custodial teams, principals, teachers across grade levels, student sessions at the high school, civic and business leaders, and partner organizations. Richards highlighted recurring, concrete themes — strong teacher performance, cross-generational ties to the district, and student-led programs such as the Archery Club — and said the design of the sessions helped produce usable feedback for planning.
Board members pressed Richards and administrators about how engagement priorities will translate into the strategic plan. Richards described the sessions as framed around "who are we" (building on strengths) and "who do we want to be" (visioning bold new ideas). She reported ideas raised in the sessions, including a stronger STEM focus, consideration of Spanish-immersion or expanded language opportunities, and deeper partnerships with local employers and Madison College to expand learning pathways for students.
District administrators said the phase-2 engagement work will inform subsequent phases of the five-year planning process, with the goal of producing a final strategic plan this spring. No formal action was requested at the meeting; administrators said they will continue to incorporate input into draft goals and report back to the board.
The board thanked Richards for the work and emphasized keeping the community visible and engaged as the district moves from visioning to goal-setting.
