School District Seeks Members for Great Schools Committees

Kearney School District is asking parents, guardians, staff members, students, residents, business leaders and community partners to help shape the future of local schools through two stakeholder committees connected to its Great Schools = Great Community initiative.

The committees are intended to help the district gather community input, study future needs and plan responsibly before major decisions are made about schools, facilities and student outcomes.

One group, the Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee, will review facility needs, consider priorities and provide feedback as the district develops a plan for maintaining and improving the buildings and spaces used by students, staff and the broader community.

District officials said the facilities committee will require the larger time commitment, with several meetings and activities expected this fall. Meetings are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kearney School District central office unless otherwise noted. Planned dates include Sept. 3, Sept. 28, Oct. 12, Oct. 19 if needed and Nov. 2 if needed.

The second group, the Portrait of a Graduate Committee, will focus on the skills, experiences and qualities the district wants every student to develop before graduation. That committee is expected to require a lighter commitment, likely one or two two-hour meetings this winter.

Both committees are part of the district’s broader public engagement effort, which is based on the belief that strong schools reflect the hopes, needs and voices of the communities they serve.

Anyone interested in serving is invited to complete a brief Committee Interest Form by the close of business on Friday, Aug. 21. Submitting the form does not obligate a person to serve, but it will help the district identify those who are interested and available.

Kearney School District plans to use the responses to form committees that include a broad mix of voices, experiences and perspectives from across the district.

The district also plans to host public engagement opportunities this fall for families, staff members, residents and community partners who want to ask questions, review information and share feedback. Additional details will be released as those plans are finalized.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.