FUTURE SEARCH
I was invited to attend a two day event called “Future Search” sponsored by the Lisbon School Department. The purpose was to provide input into developing a plan to move the Lisbon School Department into the future. I believe this event was extremely successful and will pay dividends for our school system.
There were sixty (60) plus members of the community and educators attending this brainstorming event. We were divided into tables holding six or seven individuals. This is important because I believe it was one of the critical pieces to the success of this event. At the table I sat at were, a student (Junior), a teacher, two businessmen, a parent with children in the school system and very active within the school department and myself who have grandkids in the school system. From what I understand all of the tables had a similar makeup. This provided each table with a mixture of opinions.
The next element for success was the Facilitator Judy Enright. Judy provided the group with tasks asking for our input. All input was recorded and each table had to select their top choices and these choices were presented to the entire group. The only way the input could be selected as a top priority was if the entire table agreed on it. On Friday night the group dealt with events from the past and what impact they had on the school system and the community. But on Saturday we dealt with only items which could be utilized to formulate a plan to move the Lisbon School System into the future. The facilitator made sure each task was completed on time and kept the group on a tight schedule preventing any wasted time.
The final element for success was the staff of the Lisbon School Department and the School Board. The event was held in the All-Purpose room at the Middle School. Two meals and a continental breakfast were provided reducing lost time. The group was provided all necessary resources to complete their tasks. Everything needed was provided to us.
There is no way I could list all the tasks we were asked to perform but at the end of the event all of the walls in the all-purpose room were filled with data and recommendations as to our vision for moving the Lisbon School Department into the future. One of the profound statements that I came away with was “Technology is not the solution but instead it is a tool to be utilized to reach the objective.”
It was very satisfying to see so many members of our community working together to make a difference in the school system. The group provided a lot of excellent ideas for the Planners, Staff and School Board to utilize in preparing a solid plan to move our school system into the future. Positive changes to Lisbon will make this a much better community.
I was very proud to have been a member of this dedicated group and I thank the Lisbon School Department for the opportunity to participate.
Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen
There were sixty (60) plus members of the community and educators attending this brainstorming event. We were divided into tables holding six or seven individuals. This is important because I believe it was one of the critical pieces to the success of this event. At the table I sat at were, a student (Junior), a teacher, two businessmen, a parent with children in the school system and very active within the school department and myself who have grandkids in the school system. From what I understand all of the tables had a similar makeup. This provided each table with a mixture of opinions.
The next element for success was the Facilitator Judy Enright. Judy provided the group with tasks asking for our input. All input was recorded and each table had to select their top choices and these choices were presented to the entire group. The only way the input could be selected as a top priority was if the entire table agreed on it. On Friday night the group dealt with events from the past and what impact they had on the school system and the community. But on Saturday we dealt with only items which could be utilized to formulate a plan to move the Lisbon School System into the future. The facilitator made sure each task was completed on time and kept the group on a tight schedule preventing any wasted time.
The final element for success was the staff of the Lisbon School Department and the School Board. The event was held in the All-Purpose room at the Middle School. Two meals and a continental breakfast were provided reducing lost time. The group was provided all necessary resources to complete their tasks. Everything needed was provided to us.
There is no way I could list all the tasks we were asked to perform but at the end of the event all of the walls in the all-purpose room were filled with data and recommendations as to our vision for moving the Lisbon School Department into the future. One of the profound statements that I came away with was “Technology is not the solution but instead it is a tool to be utilized to reach the objective.”
It was very satisfying to see so many members of our community working together to make a difference in the school system. The group provided a lot of excellent ideas for the Planners, Staff and School Board to utilize in preparing a solid plan to move our school system into the future. Positive changes to Lisbon will make this a much better community.
I was very proud to have been a member of this dedicated group and I thank the Lisbon School Department for the opportunity to participate.
Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen
1 comment:
It is good to see the School appreciates Mr. Filmore and his input.The Lisbon Reporter is an asset to get information out to the citizen. It is to bad the town officials would not show some Transparency.
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