Futures Task Force

June 6, 2023

New Items:

• Book discussion Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter. “The quality of thought is more important than speed.” Each character in the story reflects a specific mindset, role, or perspective commonly found in organizations undergoing change. Their interactions and growth throughout the narrative contribute to the overarching lessons on change management and the importance of collective effort in achieving successful transformation. *I have 10 extra copies available if you would like to sign one out.*
• Used four scenarios to develop pro’s and con’s lists for each scenario: 

Scenario 1: Keep 3 hometown elementary schools - fund them, staff them and fix them
Scenario 2: Reduce the number of PreK-6 elementary schools to 2: Combine ESS and MCS, keep PCS as is (fund them, staff them and fix them)
Scenario 3: Reduce the number of PreK-6 elementary schools (fund them, staff them and fix them) to 2 AND reconfigure (example: PreK-2 school and 3-5 school), 6th grade to WMS 
Scenario 4: Keep 3 elementary schools - (fund them, staff them and fix them) AND reconfigure (example: PreK-1 school, 2-3 school and 4-5/6 school)

Revisited Items:

• Ronald Heifetz work on Technical vs Adaptive challenges to change. Technical - problem, solution and implementation is clear. Adaptive takes a collective group to learn towards solutions.
• Reviewed RSU 16 Issues shared at Staff Brainstorm, Community Forum and Budget Meeting

Teacher shortage - difficulty filling open positions with fully certified teachers, Class sizes are inequitable across the three elementary schools, Transportation/Driver shortage - canceled bus routes, Increase in salaries due to contract negotiations, Aging buildings (including our “newest” 23-year old HS/MS), Title I services and Title I comparability, Rising cost of everything, Needs of our students

• Reviewed predicted obstacles the Task force overcame from June 2023 - June 2024.  A plan and communication are key, as member Bob Klar said, “10% concept and 90% communication”