School finances. Curriculum. Adequate technology for students.

These were just a few of the topics raised Tuesday by residents of Community Consolidated School District 15 during a community outreach effort. Navigate15 is meant to be a community-driven, community-led effort to set a future course for District 15.

"I think that people in this community are very vocal," said Joan Scovic, c0-chair of Navigate15. "They should engage in this process and share their ideas."

The first meeting of Navigate15 attracted about 160 residents. They sat at tables and listened to a presentation by Superintendent Scott Thompson.

After Thompson finished, the work began. Each group of residents was charged with coming up with a list of topics, concerns and questions. Toward the end of the meeting, each table read from their list and discussed what they thought were important issues for the district's future and why.

"There's been a lot of focus about finances," one resident said. "We need to balance that, the primary focus is education."

A few moments later another list was read from: "What is the district's backup plan for the missing state funds?"

Scovic said the plan now is to take all of the issues raised by residents and boil them down to six or so. Beginning in January, Navigate15 will host meetings dedicated to each topic area.

Scovic hopes that more and more people will attend Navigate15 meetings, especially with clearly defined subject areas moving forward. The remaining meetings are scheduled for Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 22, May 3, May 31, and June 21, 2011. All meetings will be held at Winston Campus (900 E. Palatine Rd., Palatine) in the cafeteria.

Scovic said she volunteered for Navigate15 because of her own children. She has two children in high school, two attending District 15, and one baby: "I'm in it for the long haul," she said with a laugh.

The meeting was professional and calm, a stark contrast to some of the happenings in the district in recent months.

The school board's attempt in the spring to issue $27 million in working cash bonds provoked a public outcry. A petition drive by residents forced the bond issue to a referendum where it was defeated by a more than 2-to-1 margin.

During the controversy, the district had a leadership change as superintendent Daniel Lukich resigned. He was replaced by Thompson in July. Among Thompson's top priorities has been a pledge to improve communication throughout the district.