Rarely do parents, students and taxpayers have the opportunity to tell administrators how to run a school district – and have the administrators listen.

But that’s just what’s taking place in Concordia Parish these days, where the school board is preparing a five-year plan for the district.

The key, according to Superintendent Pete Peterman, is commmunity input.

And, while Peterman is quick to point out that he doesn’t want the system &uot;guided by a few opinions. I want it to be guided by a plan,&uot; he believes that plan cannot be well formed without community input.

&uot;I&160;really want to know what … everybody thinks we ought to be doing,&uot;&160;he said earlier this week.

It’s an admirable – and smart – approach to crafting a plan for the district.

The people of Concordia Parish have the most at stake in the school district – it’s the system that educates their children, that produces their future employees or their future bosses, that shapes the future of the parish.

And the system needs to be responsive to the concerns, the needs and the suggestions of the public.

We hope that people throughout the parish will take advantage of the district’s openness and offer their input.

And, to make it easier, we’re opening The Democrat’s call-in line to gather suggestions and input. You may call 446-5172 ext. 254, any time of day, and leave your thoughts and comments on how to improve or direct the parish school district.

We’ll help forward them to the district officials, who really want to know what you think.