A message from our Board of Education:

To our Norris families, staff, and community members:

Thank  you for sharing what matters most to you about Norris. Our recent feedback survey received nearly 400 responses from parents, staff, and community members, and every response was read. We appreciate the time and thought you put into recognizing what is going well and offering constructive feedback about opportunities for growth and improvement.

One of the most valuable parts of last spring’s bond initiative campaign were the listening sessions and town hall presentations where we had the opportunity to visit with patrons, hear your perspectives, and talk about our schools together. This survey was a continuation of that conversation. Whether you shared encouragement, a concern, or a suggestion, you helped us better understand the experiences and priorities of the people we serve.

Your responses gave us much to appreciate about Norris. You described teachers who care about children, relationships that help students feel connected, and opportunities that allow young people to discover their interests and prepare for their futures. Academics, college credit, arts, athletics, and clubs were all recognized as important parts of the Norris experience. Many of you also expressed pride in our school and the connections made possible by having our students together on one campus.

Those are strengths we want to preserve and build upon.

We also heard concerns about taxes, spending priorities, and planning for facility maintenance. Some respondents who would recommend Norris to another family still raised questions or concerns about the recent tax increase or how financial decisions of school districts are made. We appreciate that distinction: caring about our schools and asking thoughtful questions about their direction are not mutually exclusive, in fact, they go hand in hand.

We know school funding decisions affect the families and patrons who make student opportunities possible. Your feedback reinforces the importance of explaining listening carefully, explaining our decisions clearly, and keeping you informed as we work through the needs of the district.

Next Steps

In the months ahead, we will:

• Stay connected through our regular newsletters and focusing on sharing district updates and information about the work of the Board.
• Explain how the additional tax dollars will be used, including what they will fund, how spending is prioritized and maintenance is planned, and the options we consider when making these decisions.
• Continue addressing our facility needs with careful attention to student and staff needs and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
• Build on our Board communication goal, welcoming questions and continuing conversations with families, staff, and community members.

Throughout this work, we will keep the experiences of our students, staff, and families at the center of our decisions. Strong relationships and meaningful opportunities for students remain priorities, alongside our responsibility to manage district resources carefully.

Thank you for helping us understand what you value as well as what you want us to consider. We are grateful for your investment in Norris and welcome your continued involvement in the conversation. We hope to see you on campus soon.

Sincerely,
Norris School District 160 Board of Education