Oak Harbor School District is one step closer to having a plan.

The Strategic Planning Committee, made up of school staff, parents and community members, has been working step-by-step on the five-year plan since it first met in early December under the guidance of a trained facilitator from Washington State School Directors’ Association. The service from the WSSDA facilitator has been paid for by a grant from Washington Mutual.

As the group gears up to meet again on March 2, one of the members said she wants to remind Oak Harbor residents that this is a community-based project.

Lynn Goebel, PTA president at Broad View Elementary School, said the purpose of the strategic planning committee is to bring members from the community together to chart the course for the future of the school district. Although the strategic planning group has met twice already, and has worked on the plan in between meetings, it is not too late for interested individuals to become involved.

“Just because you hadn’t come before, doesn’t mean you can’t come now,” Goebel said.

The next meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee is set for Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hillcrest Elementary School. The agenda for the meeting focuses on putting specific goals down on paper. While group members have been working on goal-setting, new ideas from any community member are welcomed.

“Input is important,” said Goebel. “You’re sitting and working in groups and talking.”

Goal-setting for the strategic plan covers all areas of concern for the school district, Goebel said.

Core groups have already come up with a mission statement, beliefs and a vision. The vision statement outlines hopes for the various areas of education for Oak Harbor’s students, including communication, facilities, programs and services, personnel and volunteers, curriculum, instruction and assessment, students, community relations and governance.

All put together, the goals in the various areas will be designed to meet the mission statement the group came up with: “The Oak Harbor School District fosters successful citizens through high quality education, in concert with families and the community.”

Rather than the group’s work being a compilation of hopes and dreams, the strategic plan will be a real set of guidelines for the school district, Goebel said.

Upon completion, the group will present the plan to the school board.

“It’s going to give the district a working document as they make budget decisions,” Goebel said. “It’s our guide to what we’re going to be doing the next five years.”

You can reach News-Times reporter Christine Smith at csmith@whidbeynewstimes.com or call 675-6611