Thanks to those who attended our recent Community Listening Event, an evening dedicated to hearing from YOU as we chart the course of the future of Berea Independent Schools.

We hope to organize more Community Events like this to continue engaging with our Pirate families and staff, and continue to improve our transparency and communication efforts between the district and the community.

Question 1: How will you ensure that open and honest communication occurs at the district level and with families? 3:02

Question 2: How will you ensure that the district will not get into this same financial situation in the future? What process, procedures and guidelines are now in place? 4:11

Question 3: How will you ensure that students at Berea have similar opportunities that students from other high schools have and what will happen with the students that were on the engineering track now that we no longer have that instructor and/or those courses? 7:35

Question 4: What exactly does FRYSC do? Is there a list of things they will do in this academic year? 14:10

Question 5: How does the district ensure that adequate funding is allocated for special education programs, and how are budget decisions made to prevent disproportionate cuts to these services? 20:57

Question 6: What upcoming trainings or webinars or basic tech help are you planning to offer both student and parents for the school communication app Apptegy? 26:51

Question 7: Since school funding is tied to attendance, what plans do we have to increase attendance for students? 31:43

Question 8: What steps are in place to strengthen our athletic program, including retaining coaches and retaining players. 33:06

Question 9: With a school our size, we have an opportunity to do some very innovative educational programming. What ideas do you have that will not only improve our academics but also set us apart through innovative ideas. 39:11

Question 10: Do we have options for test prep (specifically ACT prep) for students this year? how do we know what is offered for our students? 44:47

Question 11: Could we have more athletic opportunities for elementary? (Cross Country, basketball, etc.) 50:17

Question 12: It is difficult to find policies and the student handbook for high school. When will it be available online for easy access when students and/or parents have questions. Many other districts have these easily accessible on their websites . Families can look to see graduation requirements and policies. 57:26

Question 13: As students withdrawal and choose to attend other districts, what are we doing to collect their feedback on what needs to be improved to keep them at Berea? 1:01:26

Question 14: Can the district provide more information about SB 181 and how it would impact communication amongst parents, volunteers, coaches, etc. Why is the district not providing a waiver and how will that impact everyone involved. 1:02:56

Question 15: In what ways are the school district and schools doing to promote student leadership and student voice? Will there be student council in the schools? Will there be some kind of Superintendent's Advisory Council? 1:06:48

Question 16: Will there be a librarian for elementary and a librarian for middle/high school? Will there be a JROTC program? Will there be a study hall/learning lab period for High School students, specifically online dual enrollment students to utilize? 1:11:41

Question 17: Why Berea? 1:15:19