Community Conversations event with the Board of Education a Success
On November 21, 2024, the Independence School District (ISD) hosted a “Community Conversations with the Board of Education” World Cafe-style event, offering a platform for parents, staff, students, and community members to engage directly with members of the Board of Education (BOE).
Attendees were assigned random seats at large tables, each table manned by a Board member and a member of ISD leadership. Tables discussed two questions in timed rounds: What is going well in the ISD? –and– What are you struggling with in the ISD?
Participants used markers and pens to brainstorm and collaborate on poster-sized sheets of paper that lined each table. People were able to ask questions, share feedback, and engage in meaningful dialogue with board members about the district’s priorities, initiatives, and plans for the future. The discussion focused on topics ranging from student success and academic programs to school safety and community involvement.
Table leaders reported out shared ideas and discussions, and a Graphic Recorder was on hand to capture all of the feedback in a graphic diagram format.
“It’s so important for us as a Board to connect with the community we serve,” said Board President Carrie Dixon. “Events like these help us better understand the needs and concerns of our students, families, and staff, ensuring that we continue to make decisions that benefit everyone in our district.”
Participants expressed their appreciation for the open exchange of ideas and for the district’s dedication to transparency in its decision-making process.
“Community involvement is a key factor in the success of our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Dale Herl. “This event allows us to hear directly from those involved. It’s a valuable experience for everyone involved.”
Click here to download a PDF version of the graphic diagram posted below.
If you would like to view this graphic in additional languages, we encourage you to use the Google Translate tool.
- Right click on each image directly above these direction and click “Save Image As.” (Do not use the PDF version because it is too large for the Google Translate tool.)
- Go go https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=es&op=images
- Click the “Images” tab
- Upload the image that you downloaded
- Select the From language, select the To language
- Click “Download translation”
It will look like this example, as shown in Spanish:
