Collaboration Continues to Expand Student Opportunities and Community Access

Leaders from West Chester and Liberty townships, Butler Tech and Lakota Local Schools met for the second time to explore ways to work together in support of students and the broader community. The discussion focused on three areas where collaboration could make an immediate and lasting impact: shared community meetings, expanded student internships and better use of public facilities.

Township administrators met with Lakota Superintendent Ashley Whitely and Treasurer Adam Zink following the December meeting and brought three options to the larger group: community meetings, internship and co-op programs for students and shared facility opportunities.

Community Meetings: Keeping Residents Informed and Connected

The goal of joint community meetings is to make it easier for residents to stay informed about local projects, school initiatives and upcoming opportunities, all in one place. The meetings will be held twice a year on a rotating basis with regards to the host. “There’s also a cyclical nature to our work and to (Lakota’s) work as well,” said West Chester Township Trustee Chair Ann Becker. For example, the spring lends towards road repair announcements while the fall signals the start of the school year. West Chester Township Administrator Lisa Brown agreed, noting that the townships and schools operate on different fiscal years as well. 

Lakota Local Schools will host the first community event in the fall, with details being announced in the coming months.

Internships and Co-ops: Real-World Experience for Lakota Students

The State looks at how well graduates are prepared for life after high school through its College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness report card grade. “We talk about all contributing to (student achievement)...Yes, we’re the school district, but there are opportunities in our community that can help make that (report card) component a lot more well-rounded,” said Whitely. 

Lakota already partners with LinkedUp Connect, a business advisory committee through the Hamilton County Educational Service Center. Whitely explained that the pathway to expand internships and co-ops already exists and this is an opportunity to expand the program. Students can apply for opportunities that interest them, some being job shadowing, internships, experienceships, etc. “We have some very civically-minded kids,” said Whitely, explaining that there are students who would like first-hand experience with how local government works.

The group discussed ways to ensure students are not only gaining experience, but also contributing ideas and feedback that benefit the organizations they work with. “If the core objective of this group is to synergize the work that you’re doing, from different agencies across the geography and landscape, (there’s) an opportunity for any student from Lakota that fulfills an internship or co-op with the different groups…(to) present back to the adults,” said Butler Tech Superintendent William Sprankles. He suggested students present ideas on how to strengthen the department or organization they intern with, not just what they’ve learned.

Liberty Township Trustee Todd Minniear stressed the importance of educating the business community about the opportunity to partner with the schools. “We have an annual meeting…with Liberty Township businesses and that would be a good place (to promote LinkedUp Connect).” Lakota is also sharing information to members of the West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance to get more businesses involved.

The group also discussed volunteer opportunities, which are communicated to Lakota students through school counselors.

Shared Facilities: Expanding Access and Making the Most of Community Spaces

Leaders discussed how school and township facilities could be used more intentionally to increase recreation options for residents and attract events that support the local economy. Lakota has many playgrounds and sports facilities, such as tennis courts and tracks, that residents have access to after school hours. The communication teams from Lakota and the townships will collaborate on how to better promote the locations and hours.

Additionally, the group discussed the potential of using Lakota’s fields to bring sporting tournaments to the area. One example would be a baseball tournament that utilizes the West Chester baseball complex and Lakota fields.

“I’m a huge fan of this collaboration,” said Lakota Board of Education Vice President Doug Horton. “I think that this is actually the thing that makes sense from a community standpoint.” When talking about bringing larger tournaments to the area, he stressed the need “to make sure that we don’t leave our community organizations behind in that.” 

Becker shared that they are already partnering with the Lakota Sports Organization regarding their baseball complex, noting that they are aware of the direction the Township would like to take. “I think it would be great if we get that communication connected.”

The conversation also looked ahead to longer-term opportunities tied to future facility decisions.

Leaders also discussed how future facilities decisions could benefit both students and residents if Lakota’s Master Facilities Plan moves forward. One idea included a shared-use fire facility with a firefighter training center operated through Butler Tech, offering hands-on learning opportunities for Lakota students interested in public safety careers. “It would be a really strong proposal for Lakota and Butler Tech schools and these agencies to all co-author an application submitted to the State for a (grant),” said Sprankles.

Whitely emphasized that, while these conversations are happening, no decisions have been finalized. “The Master Facilities Plan plays a large role in determining what opportunities are possible, and we’re still in that process,” Whitely said.

Township leaders also shared that investing in school sites, such as improved playgrounds or recreational spaces, could be a way to meet community needs while also enhancing student experiences.

Next steps include sharing Lakota’s finalized Master Facilities Plan with township and Butler Tech leaders, followed by additional discussions about future partnerships and land use. The group plans to reconvene once the Board has finalized its direction.