WPSD Forward TASK FORCE COMMUNITY PROJECT AVAILABLE NOW Please visit https://wpsdforward.org to access the initial report we provided to the WPSD School Board on June 11, 2025. All work is on the website, done in the open. If you want to provide input or reach us, select "Contact" on the website. ABOUT THE TASK FORCE Grassroots initiative with 31 active members (from initial 44). On meeting day, three groups formed organically at 10 am, 2 pm, and 5:30 pm to accommodate schedules. This created a challenge to keep messaging consistent across the groups. We met with everyone to review the report we released. . The members represented a diverse cross section of the community. Supporters and detractors or the School Board, Superintendent, and Merit Academy as well as an ideological divide that exists in the community. The members worked hard and stayed focused on the "Kids" which also implies that the teachers be taken care of, and all stakeholders engaged with a common cause. The task force did everything by consensus. The goal was not to tell the board what decisions to make, rather to prove vetted information and action plans built from best practices on critical processes and controversial topics. CURRENT FOCUS Action Plan Superintendent Search: In the report there is an action plan of best practices in the search process. The search firm should be allowed to follow the complete process even if the expense is more. It is critical that the board not cut out steps thinking they can do some of it to save money. Following best practices is a major component to starting building trust. Also, as this is a lame duck board we believe the candidate decision should be made by the next elected board in November. Action Plan regarding potential sale of Middle School to Merit Academy: This was a very controversial topic of the task force and in the community. The task force took no position. However, we did present an action plan using the best practices to help the board get to the right decision. There are many factors, all risks need to be identified and mitigated as much as possible, and the deferred maintenance of the school buildings across the district which school boards have ignored for over a decade need to be factored in. Action Plan Communication and Engagement: We believe that clearly defined action plans that use best practices to address the issues is the best starting point for rebuilding trust. Currently, there is almost a complete lack of trust on all sides. This must change if we are to take care of our kids and heal our community. WHAT IS NEXT? The task force will set and communicate a date for a Community Forum where we can go continue the discussion of all issues with the goal of continuing to learn and educate the community so that we can inspire more person to run for school board and to encourage them to engage at a deep level to earn our vote as citizens. WPSD Forward WPSD Forward.org WPSD Forward TASK FORCE COMMUNITY PROJECT AVAILABLE NOW Please visit https://wpsdforward.org to access the initial report we provided to the WPSD School Board on June 11 , 2025. All work is on the website , done in the open . If you want to provide input or reach us , select " Contact " on the website . ABOUT THE TASK FORCE Grassroots initiative with 31 active members ( from initial 44 ) . On meeting day , three groups formed organically at 10 am , 2 pm , and 5:30 pm to accommodate schedules . This created a challenge to keep messaging consistent across the groups . We met with everyone to review the report we released . . The members represented a diverse cross section of the community . Supporters and detractors or the School Board , Superintendent , and Merit Academy as well as an ideological divide that exists in the community . The members worked hard and stayed focused on the " Kids " which also implies that the teachers be taken care of , and all stakeholders engaged with a common cause . The task force did everything by consensus . The goal was not to tell the board what decisions to make , rather to prove vetted information and action plans built from best practices on critical processes and controversial topics . CURRENT FOCUS Action Plan Superintendent Search : In the report there is an action plan of best practices in the search process . The search firm should be allowed to follow the complete process even if the expense is more . It is critical that the board not cut out steps thinking they can do some of it to save money . Following best practices is a major component to starting building trust . Also , as this is a lame duck board we believe the candidate decision should be made by the next elected board in November . Action Plan regarding potential sale of Middle School to Merit Academy : This was a very controversial topic of the task force and in the community . The task force took no position . However , we did present an action plan using the best practices to help the board get to the right decision . There are many factors , all risks need to be identified and mitigated as much as possible , and the deferred maintenance of the school buildings across the district which school boards have ignored for over a decade need to be factored in . Action Plan Communication and Engagement : We believe that clearly defined action plans that use best practices to address the issues is the best starting point for rebuilding trust . Currently , there is almost a complete lack of trust on all sides . This must change if we are to take care of our kids and heal our community . WHAT IS NEXT ? The task force will set and communicate a date for a Community Forum where we can go continue the discussion of all issues with the goal of continuing to learn and educate the community so that we can inspire more person to run for school board and to encourage them to engage at a deep level to earn our vote as citizens . WPSD Forward WPSD Forward.org