CLINTON - Community support and input are the driving forces behind an updated strategic plan to be implemented by the Clinton School District, school officials said.

District officials recently invited the public to a strategic planning session as part of the district's annual update of the plan. About 30 people, including community members and members of the faculty, attended the meeting.

"We look at our strategic plan on an annual basis and have implemented several of our goals from recent updates," Superintendent Jeff Holmes said. "We look at it as a roadmap for our district, but we also continue to update it, so as things change, we can stay on the right path."

Holmes said no final decisions were made during the session, but a number of ideas were discussed with the administration and school board members.

The updated plan will be mailed to local residents in early 2009, he said.

"Our No. 1 priority is student achievement," Holmes said. "That's our top focus.

"The other topics include facilities, finance, community and faculty. At certain times, we also may or may not add some other areas, depending on how important those items are to the public."

Holmes said special education issues and finding ways to maintain the current tax rate while generating more revenue were significant sources of discussion.

Business Manager Rick Imig said getting community input is very important in making decisions about financial matters, particularly with the recent economic turmoil.

"What we have to keep in mind is that there could be a 'trickle down' effect with the state funding because of the economic bailouts," Imig said. "Some federal or state funding could be eliminated because that money will be used someplace else.

"But you have to listen to your taxpayers and be careful with their money, so it's important to listen to what they have to say."

Holmes said objectives discussed included increasing the district's education fund and continuing to provide quality programs for students. Also on the horizon is a decision on the construction of a new elementary school.

Officials in the district have discussed closing Washington and Webster elementary schools and building a facility to house second- through fifth-graders.

"Having the community involved with the strategic plan provides us with accountability to the taxpayers," Holmes said. "Our citizens want to know that we are making forward progress, and it allows them to have a say in the future of the district."

kbarlow@pantagraph.com