Cd'A School District initiates 'Community Chat'

The first in a series of school board meetings aimed at encouraging public dialogue takes place Monday in the Coeur d'Alene School District.

The "Community Chat" starts at 6 p.m. at the Midtown Center meeting room at the corner of Fifth Street and Linden.

The main topic for this first workshop-style meeting will be the upcoming Maintenance and Operations levy scheduled for March 8. Patrons are also welcome to bring other topics to the discussion.

At the board's October meeting, Superintendent Hazel Bauman said the decision to hold these sessions was in response to feedback the district has received since changing its policy to limit public comments at regular board meetings.

Future chats will be scheduled monthly at different times and locations throughout the community to accommodate patrons' schedules.

All Community Chat meetings will be posted as regular board meetings, but held in a more informal setting so the board, superintendent and other district staff can answer questions and hear thoughts and ideas from community members. In contrast, the regular board meetings will continue to be formal meetings.

A trial period for the Community Chats is planned through the end of the school year and if patrons take advantage of this opportunity, the chats will become a permanent part of the district's outreach program.

Information: 664-8241