Vision 2012 meetings invite public participation

As part of the Pine Plains Central School District's Vision 2012 Initiative, half a dozen members of the public recently gathered on a snowy evening at the Cold Spring Elementary School to participate in a workshop on this subject.

According to the district, the two goals for Vision 2012 are "to create a common picture of the ideal future that will inspire commitment from everyone connected with the school district and to maximize the chances that our students will be successful learners both in school and after graduation."

According to Superintendent Linda L. Kaumeyer, "This is a return to core values, the anchor that keeps us going. In challenging times it is especially important to know what they are."

To reach these goals the district is seeking input from residents. To that end the district has held a number of meetings similar to this one where residents gather to share their ideas.

It was truly an interactive experience for all involved. At this meeting those in attendance were separated into two groups of three people and given a task to identify what each member, and then group, thinks are the three most important core values that should be central to the education of Pine Plains students.

Once this task was completed, the groups were asked to consider what the district is doing to achieve these core values, what are the positive forces that could help the district teach them and what negative forces exist that impede that process.

The results of these exercises were gathered. They would be combined later on with the results of previous groups. All of the results would then be posted on the district Web site under Vision 2012 Initiative.

Kaumeyer said, "I think there are common themes that are emerging." As for encouraging the public to attend all future meetings, she added, "I don't want people thinking that we are keeping the process a secret but I want them to come to these meetings with an open mind."

Resident Virginia Stern commented on the exercise that "what is really important is participating."

The next opportunity the public has to take part in one of these exercises would be on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Seymour Smith Elementary School in the library on the third floor.

The process will culminate on Thursday, Feb. 26, as Vision 2012 Day. It will be further elaborated at the March 4 school board meeting beginning with a volunteer recognition reception.