By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER TWP. - As Lakota educators begin planning for space needs, a committee wants to know two things:

How do students, parents and staff members feel about a third high school of perhaps 1,000 students?

And how responsive is the community to a school day that might begin as early as 7:20 a.m. for some students or end at 8:30 p.m. for others?

Those questions are part of a two-page, 11-question survey sent to teachers, support staff, parents and students in Grades 7 through 12. A six-member group will use information gleaned from the surveys, said Superintendent Kathleen Klink.

Community forums scheduled early next year will allow people to comment on facilities for 2010 or 2011, when enrollment is expected to surpass the 17,000 mark, Mrs. Klink said.

"We wanted to gather good data as we look at the number of facilities and the grade configurations," Mrs. Klink said. "We have lots and lots of ideas and needed feedback."

But at least one parent questioned whether the survey was a precursor to a bond issue, and whether the community would have any input. A junior school and elementary are under construction now and will open in August.

"I do know the (high schools) are pretty full," said parent Sandy Severson. Board member Joan Powell, who's a member of the committee, said the group is still in the information and brainstorming stage but would probably be ready to talk early next year.

"No plans have been laid yet," Mrs. Powell said.

Although the Lakota Schools' growth has slowed considerably, Mrs. Klink said administrators have concerns about space needs at the elementary and high school levels. Once Lakota Plains Junior School opens next year, there should be plenty of room for growth for seventh- and eighth-grade students.

"We know our current 17 schools - soon to be 19 - are not enough," Mrs. Klink said. "We're in a stable pattern (of growth), not these high numbers that take your breath away. We'll see more stable, moderate, even growth, but still growth."

Space at the Lakota Early Childhood Center is already becoming tight and "soon will be at the point we can't find space anymore," Mrs. Klink said.

Another issue that a facilities plan would address is the number of modular classrooms in use throughout the district.