News : Vinton-Shellsburg to Host Community Facilities Forums in May

The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District invites families, staff, and community members to participate in two upcoming community forums focused on our school facilities and future planning. These forums are a continuation of the important conversations we've been having around our facilities, grade alignment, and the long-term needs of our district.

Forum Details:

• Sunday, May 4 at Shellsburg Elementary - 6:00 p.m.
  
  

• Monday, May 12 at Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School - 6:00 p.m.
  
  

Each event will begin with a guided tour of the building, followed by an open forum discussion with members of the Vinton-Shellsburg School Board. This will be an opportunity for community members to ask questions, share feedback, and learn more about the results of the recent Facilities Feedback Survey.

At the April board meeting, we shared the findings from our community-wide survey. Some of the key takeaways included:

• A strong desire to keep Shellsburg Elementary open and concerns about consolidating elementary campuses.
  
  

• Mixed opinions about moving 5th grade to the middle school, with concerns centering around student readiness, safety, and social-emotional development.
  
  

• High importance placed on modernizing classrooms, improving school safety, upgrading infrastructure, and expanding early childhood spaces.
  
  

• A need for more public meetings, data sharing, and transparent decision-making.
  
  

We heard clear themes about the importance of:

• Maturity and developmental appropriateness in grade alignment decisions.
  
  

• Equity and fairness across the district, particularly for rural families.
  
  

• Maintaining manageable class sizes and consistent peer groups for students.
  
  

• Minimizing travel times and school transitions for younger students.
  
  

These forums will provide a valuable space for community members to continue the conversation, see the facilities firsthand, and help shape the future of Vinton-Shellsburg schools. Your voice matters - we hope you'll join us!