Thompson Falls Public Schools is looking ahead. The board of trustees voted at its January meeting to begin the process of creating a long-range plan for the district. Superintendent Bud Scully explained that the district needed to develop a long-range plan, often referred to as a strategic plan, as it is required by the state Office of Public Instruction.

The school board will be gathering input from community members, parents, staff and students. A public meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 23, at 6 p.m. in the Thompson Falls High School Library.

Board vice-chairperson Ryan Frields said that it was important that all of the board members be present for the process as they will be tasked with making the final decision on the long-range plan. The board will be looking for ideas that can be implemented in anywhere from a one-year to 20-year timeline.

Scully stated that he would compile all ideas and create a survey for staff, students, parents and community members in order to get additional input before the board meeting again to discuss and possibly take action on the long-range plan.

“It’s important for the community to be involved because this is their school,” Scully stated. “The school is the hub of the community, and the community pays taxes to it. The community should have a say in what they want for their school.”

Scully noted that schools address their long-range plan every five years, and that it looks at “anything and everything” for the district, setting goals and gathering ideas. Goals that come from the process can center around facilities, curriculum, accessibility, activities and any other aspect of the school. “The goal is to have the plan completed by the start of the next school year and then we’ll start working on the goals set in the plan,” he added.

Scully also stressed that it’s important for students to have input on the long-range plan as it’s their school and it could be their kids’ school with the longer-range goals set as they become the next generation of parents.