A conversation with Cohlee Winward and Bonnie Speas: Community Coordinators for SD 150

Recently, Cohlee Winward and Bonnie Speas were hired as Community Coordinators for the Soda Springs School District under a grant funded by the United Way.  The grant has a four-year funding cycle, and the plan is to create a sustainable program in that time through which the local school district and community groups, organizations, and businesses can combine their resources to the benefit of the area’s students.  The overarching phrase the pair are using as they begin to set the program in motion is “Building bridges between schools, families, and community resources” and they hope to do just that.

Speas will be working primarily with Thirkill, and Winward will be working primarily with Tigert, though both will be located in offices on the Thirkill campus.  

At the outset of the project, the two are conducting a needs assessment for the area, in order to determine what resources are most urgent within the school district.  “After we find out what the needs are,” Speas said, “then we’ll settle on a focus.”

“We can’t do it all at once,” Winward noted.  “But our goal is the create a reasonable program.  Some of it is connecting with resources that are already here, in other words making a connection.”

 The two toured schools in the American Falls district to see how programs had been implemented there, as well as in Rigby.  “There were some good ideas.  One thing that we heard, though, was that ‘if you’ve seen one community school…you’ve seen one community school.  The needs are different in every location, and there isn’t one single way to do things.” 

A QR Code is attached to this article, and is one way to let the two know what kind of issues and ideas are important to members of the community.  Since the position is predicated on the interaction between the various stakeholders in local education, information from parents and members of the community at large is vital to effectively forming strategies to best address issues of major concern.

Cohlee Winward provided some additional specific insights into the position, as she and Speas continue exploring the landscape that supports education in the community.  

1) What is involved in your new role?

At its core, our job is about building connections. We are here to listen to students, families, and teachers, and then help bridge the gaps between them and the resources in our community. That could eventually mean after-school activities for kids who aren’t involved in sports, programs to strengthen family engagement, or partnerships with local organizations. 

2) What entities will you be working with, and what are your objectives for them?

We will be working closely with parents, teachers, nonprofits, businesses, and service providers to identify needs and create solutions. From mental health resources to enrichment activities, the emphasis is on building strong partnerships that benefit the entire community. At this stage, we are gathering information—listening to different voices, learning what’s already available, and identifying where gaps may exist.

3) How has it been so far?

Though still new, the position is already uncovering opportunities. Early conversations with families and staff have provided valuable input to guide potential programs. While no additional programming has been implemented yet, the process of listening and observing has been incredibly meaningful. Bonnie and I have also taken on the management of the district’s food pantry, with hopes of enhancing and expanding this service for families in need.

4) What are you looking forward to?

I’m excited about the possibilities ahead. Once we have a clearer picture, I look forward to developing programs and opportunities that make a real difference—things that feel meaningful, sustainable, and supportive for students, staff and families. Seeing kids light up when they discover something new or feel like they belong is what motivates me most.

5) What can people do to help, or should they be aware of?

Community support is vital to the success of this initiative. People can get involved by volunteering, offering ideas, or simply keeping an eye out for upcoming opportunities. Even small actions, like spreading the word about new programs, can make a big difference. If you’re a community member, organization, or business that would like to partner with us, please reach out. We’d love to connect and explore ways to work together in support of our students and families.

6) Anything else you want people to know?

Right now, we are still in the process of collecting data to make sure our efforts are 100% thoughtful and effective. We want to ensure that the programs and supports we eventually put in place truly meet the needs of students and families. To help with this, we’ve created a public survey where community members can share their input. If you’d like to have your voice heard, please take a moment to scan the QR code and let us know your thoughts. Your feedback will directly shape the opportunities we create for our students.