New Albany-Plain Local school board members are moving forward with the district's strategic plan as well as a new campus master plan.

The board of education held its monthly work session and regular business meeting Monday, Nov. 23, to discuss the upcoming kickoff to the strategic plan, which will take place Thursday, Dec. 3, in the Jefferson Room at the high school.

District communications director Jeff Warner, who is a plan coordinator and internal liaison, and Debra Lowery, a plan coordinator and community liaison, gave a report about their progress organizing upcoming community engagement opportunities.

They're in the process of pulling together the lead team, a group of about 30 community members and staff and board members that forms strategic plan initiatives.

"All of them have been initially contacted and the responses we are getting in are very positive," Lowery said. "The initial feedback is very, very positive. Everyone is excited to be a part of it."

Board members heard from Keith Myers and Karen McCoy of the Columbus-based MSI design firm that district officials hope will be selected to guide the board's facilities committee.

BOE members tabled the motion to approve a $95,000 contract with MSI Design. Board member Mark Ryan expressed concerns over the community's understanding of the facilities committee's responsibilities for the campus master plan.

"I support doing it," he said. "I think maybe, (since) this is now a public proposal, listening for a month would be a good thing for us to do. A month isn't a killer on the timeframe. I think it would be interesting to hear other perspectives. I think there is some merit to that."

Board president Diane Goedeking was the only member who voted against the motion to table the issue. Peter Horvath was absent from the meeting.

The BOE also accepted the resignation of Pat Stewart, district human resource director.

Stewart, who has been with the district for 11 years, plans to retire in January.

For more information on the Nov. 23 board meeting, read the Dec. 3 edition of ThisWeek New Albany.