School district looking for widespread community input

Idaho Falls School District 91 has launched a community outreach project. The board of trustees wants to hear your opinion about the current direction it’s going in modernizing and updating two high schools. And they want to hear your thoughts through an online program called ThoughtExchange.

ThoughtExchange is an easier way to gather widespread community input. For now, you can comment on three topics: a redesign of Skyline High School, a rebuild of Idaho Falls High School, or a repurpose of Idaho Falls High School.

“The board will then be able to take that input and consider that as they move through this process and determine the best way to move forward and update and modernize our high schools,” said Margaret Wimborne, the district’s community relations specialist.

You can share your comments, questions, and concerns about the district’s board decisions. After you share your thoughts, you can rate others you agree with and flag it so it can get the board’s attention.

“This community input is just a critical piece of the process. And using ThoughtExchange — using this online platform — it’s really a way to engage in conversations without having people have to come to a meeting or attend an event. It’s really a way for them to provide their input where it’s convenient for them and when it’s convenient for them,” Wimborne said.

District 91 is using ThoughtExchange in three steps: Share, Star, and Discover. Starting now until March 3 you can “Share” your thoughts. From March 9-19, you can review the communities thoughts and “Star” your favorites. And in April, you can review the final reports and “Discover” the common themes within the community’s opinions.

All Idaho Falls School District parents have received emails, but if you don’t have children in the district you can still have a say. Visit www.ifschools.org, find the article titled “Tell us what you think!” and sign up.