A plan for the future of education

The Coeur d'Alene School District's Long Range Planning Committee is updating the district's 10-year master plan.

The committee will hold a series of focus groups over the next week to gather input from the public on the future of high school growth in the district.

Laura Rumpler, the school district's director of communications, told The Press the district wants to make certain the community's values are reflected throughout the process as school officials consider what future public high schools will look like.

Some of the questions Rumpler said the district is seeking input on are: "Would our community like to see a new high school built? Would our community like to see our two traditional high school campuses expand? What programs and opportunities do we want to offer in our high schools that we currently don't have?"

The committee is working with a consultant, Construction Services Group, to review the district's educational programs, enrollment projections and complete a building capacity analysis, which will allow the district to determine the extent of which the school facilities are able to house current and future enrollment and programs.

"We want to ensure that the current and future programs of the school district drive the facility planning process at all grade levels," Rumpler said. "This process allows for our district to plan for the future for our facilities and programs rather than react and play catch-up to the needs of our students and families."

Focus group sessions will last 45 minutes, located at the district administrative offices, 1400 N. Northwood Center Court.

Anyone interested in attending one of the following focus groups can RSVP to Rumpler at [email protected].

Focus groups:

Wednesday, May 27 - 7:15 a.m., noon

Friday, May 29 - 7:15 a.m.

Monday, June 1 - noon

Tuesday, June 2 - 5:15 p.m.

Wednesday, June 3 - 7:15 a.m.