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Plan Together

A community-driven approach to our next long-term facilities plan

The School District of Lancaster is proposing a Right for the Future Task Force to help identify the priorities and values that guide its next long-term facilities plan.

School buildings serve students across generations, and decisions about their future affect families throughout the district. The proposed process would gather community perspectives and bring those findings to district administration before the next long-term plan is developed.

Milestones

Fall 2026

School district establishes Right for the Future Task Force

The task force, composed of a diverse group of community stakeholders and district leaders, is charged with identifying the priorities and values that should guide SDoL’s next long-term facilities plan.

January-February 2027

Task force conducts focus groups

Participants will engage in a guided conversation about the future of education in the School District of Lancaster, beginning with a brief look at how the district has evolved over time and the values that continue to shape its work. Through interactive activities and small-group discussions, community members will explore their vision for student learning, school culture, community engagement, and educational opportunities in the years ahead. The session will conclude by identifying the key principles and priorities that should guide future district decisions.

February 2027

Annual parent/guardian survey

Caregivers of SDoL students are annually asked to take a survey on their overall confidence in the School District of Lancaster, as well as their and their children’s experiences with district academics and programs. The 2027 survey will include a bank of questions on facilities priorities to inform the work of the task force.

May 2027

Task Force presents its findings to the administration

The Task Force will present its findings and recommendations to district administration, summarizing the community values, priorities, and principles identified throughout the engagement process. Drawing on feedback from residents, families, staff, students, and community partners, the presentation will highlight a shared vision for the future of education in the School District of Lancaster, including the experiences we want for students, the characteristics of effective learning environments, and the tradeoffs the community is willing to consider. These findings will help establish the guiding values and decision-making framework that will inform the development of the district’s Long-Term Facilities Master Plan.

Fall 2027

District leadership presents a long-range facilities plan to the school board

The plan will consider where the district is going, the communty’s priorities for its facilities, and ways the district can realize efficiencies to ensure it remains financially sound for generations to come.