PORT ORCHARD — After an extensive series of informational and conversational forums attended by community members over the past two months, South Kitsap School District administrators still have their collective ear open for opinions and feedback from South Kitsap residents.
In fact, the school district ’s superintendent, Karst Brandsma, said he’ll gather input any way he can.
“We want to hear from our community,” Brandsma said. “We will go to them if they can’t come to us.”
Administrators with South Kitsap School District led SK 260 forum participants in a discussion at South Kitsap High School May 14. (Bob Smith | Kitsap Daily News photo)
The forum series — known as South Kitsap 360: School Facilities from Every Angle — included what the district called “an educational presentation by industry experts” who gave those attending an overview of several issues relevant to funding school construction: the McCleary court decision, the state construction funding formula, district communication with the community, and long-range facility planning.
Last month, the school district scheduled a lengthy series of school site tours led by building administrators, who spoke with residents about facility needs.
Rounding out the forum series was what the district labeled “a community conversation,” where attendees gathered in smaller breakout sessions to discuss the future of the South Kitsap School District. At the end of the community conversational session May 14 at South Kitsap High, Brandsma led audience members through a live multi-choice electronic survey so they could give their opinions about topics such as school security, facility options and overall educational achievements by the teaching staff.
The superintendent said district administrators and the board of directors are seeking additional feedback from those who didn’t attend the final forum. As a result, the survey is now online and active.
“We had great turnout at the first South Kitsap 360 event but a lot less at the final event when we asked for audience participation,” Brandsma said.
“The survey is another chance for our community to weigh in. The board is using input from a variety of sources as they consider the future of South Kitsap facilities and potential ballot measures.”
The survey link is here.
The board of directors met in a work-study session May 23 to mull over the initial poll results.
The board members also reviewed input from a follow-up survey sent to SK 360 participants and results from the Thought Exchange safety discussion.
The board will continue to review survey results at upcoming work study sessions, Brandsma said at the end of the final SK 360 session.
