Survey will help set course for future of Aurora schools

It’s homework time for Husky Nation.
Whether you are a fifth generation Aurora native, a relative newcomer with kids currently enrolled in the 4R school system or a retiree with no vested interest other than your property tax bill, you are being asked and invited to share your thoughts in a timely strategic planning session which will impact the district for years to come.
Supt. Jody Phillips announced last fall that in his view the district lacked a long-term plan, which became evident during the pandemic when the familiarity of routine was replaced by relative chaos. Without a detailed map or vision to work with, Phillips said he, the board and a devoted staff of educators were making decisions without a clear understanding of how those decisions fit into the big picture. We credited Phillips last fall for his candid assessment when this strategic planning process began and can already tell that he and the board are serious about asking hard questions that need to be asked and answered.
Those questions were first raised in a series of community input sessions, which invited parents, teachers, business leaders and anyone interested in participating to weigh in. The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including academics, extra-curricular activities, budget/spending, school security, facility needs and more.
You couldn’t help but walk away from that process without realizing that Aurora Public Schools is an excellent school system, but it does in fact face some challenges, particularly in regard to facility needs. This community made some monumental investments in the 1950s and 60s when bond issues were passed to build the elementary, middle school and high school buildings. Modifications have been made since that time, requiring one major bond issue in 2006 which expires in 2026, but other than that the district has focused on maintaining existing facilities while trying to adapt to a changing educational landscape.
The time has come to take a step back and consider the options for how best to make sure Aurora Public Schools continues its standard of excellence, which is what this strategic planning process is all about. The next step involves an anonymous, online community survey, which asks some very pointed questions about facility needs, educational priorities and other factors all aimed at setting a direction for the future of the district. The survey was posted last week and will remain open through April 19, thus the public still has a one-week window to engage.
A link to the survey was sent out in numerous formats last week and is available now at auroranewsregister.com.
Phillips and the board are being crystal clear and transparent that major decisions will be made based on the community’s input, so if you have kids in the school system, own property in the district or just care about Aurora Public Schools, this survey deserves your time and attention.
Kurt Johnson