OVUU Planning Task Force

OVUU NAMES PLANNING TASK FORCE

Otter Valley Unified Union (OVUU) formed a Planning Task Force whose mission is to provide high quality equitable education to all OVUU students at the most effective cost.

Planning Task Force Committee Meeting Agendas, Documents and Minutes

Planning Task Force in the News:
February 6, 2019 - Planning Task Force Eyes Difficult Task - Brandon Reporter
April 3, 2019 - OV Task Force Maps Out Districts Future - Brandon Reporter
May 2, 2019 - OV Task Force Tests Three-Phase Plan - Brandon Reporter
June 7, 2019 - OVUU Planning Task Force Presents Recommendation Plan for District Future - Press Release

Recommendations:
Planning Task Force Presentation on "The Work" - Presented to OVUU Board 06-05-19
Planning Task Force Proposed Action Plan - Presented to OVUU Board 06-19-19

Greg Bernhardt - Chair OVUU Board Member, At-Large Leicester

Lisa Kenyon - Clerk OVUU Board Member Brandon

WHAT WILL THE PLANNING TASK FORCE DO?

The Task Force is focused on developing a plan to provide every possible opportunity to support students, families and the community in response to federal mandates, legislative changes and budgetary prioritization.

The Task Force will develop a 5-to-10 year plan to:
Ensure high quality equitable academic opportunities
Be good stewards of school finance
Lead our communities through change

TASK FORCE WORKING GROUP RECAP

The OVUU Board appointed Planning Task Force (Task Force) hosted a very engaged Community Input Working Group on Monday, April 29th. The goal of the meeting was to receive community input on initial plan elements that outline proactive solutions for the district focused on the next 2-5-10 years to account for a series of triggers that may impact change (declining enrollment, legislation, facilities maintenance, etc.). The initial plan was developed over 15 months, 25 meetings, thorough review of 92 pages of district data and ongoing community input.

Why Did the OVUU Planning Task Force Host a Working Group?

The goal of the Working Group was to understand what community concerns and feedback will look like based on a proposed plan timeline prior to presenting a more finalized plan recommendation to the full OVUU Board. The Task Force was also looking for any insights or ideas that perhaps were overlooked or did not surface at the Task Force level.

Coming out of the Working Group, a few things were very apparent based on what attendees had to say:

1. Most importantly, the district needs to be transparent and over-communicate

2. The group wants what is best for the students and the district as a whole. With that, difficult decisions may need to be made, but as long as those decisions are logical and communicated effectively, the community will have an easier time accepting those changes for an improved student-experience

3. The community encourages the Task Force to think outside of the box when discussing possible solutions to address external triggers like declining enrollment, increased need for services, potential legislation, etc.

4. The phased plan presented was slightly confusing. It's less of a phased plan and more recommended timing for execution

What's Next?

Based on community input received, the Task Force will regroup to prepare the presentation/plan recommendations to bring to the OVUU Board. The Task Force has been very thorough and thoughtful with the work to date and looks forward to bringing that work to the board, bringing the district closer to the mission set out by the Task Force: "To provide high quality equitable education to all OVUU students at the most effective cost." Once the Task Force recommended plan is presented to the full OVUU Board, the board will make the final decisions on how to proceed.

Interested in Learning More?

CLICK HERE to access the Working Group presentation from the April 29th session. View the Working Group via live stream on the Vermont Good Neighbor Project Facebook page. Lastly, comments and questions are welcome using the "Let's Talk" portal. Please keep an eye out for future ways to engage!

04/29/19 OVUU Planning Task Force Presentation to Working Group/Public Forum

MEET YOUR OVUU PLANNING TASK FORCE!

The Task Force is comprised of OVUU board members and community members.