Case Study: Linn-Mar Community School District achieves a community-backed, data-driven strategic plan with ThoughtExchange

Overcoming the new superintendent challenge with Thoughtexchange

When Dr. Quintin Shepherd took over as superintendent of Linn‑Mar Community School District in Iowa, he faced a steep learning curve: overcrowded facilities, the need for a new strategic plan, and a community distrustful of past decision‑making and not feeling heard. He needed to quickly gather broad, meaningful input and rebuild transparency and engagement.

Dr. Shepherd partnered with Thoughtexchange, conducted a 100‑day listening tour and launched confidential, open‑ended online exchanges that let residents share and rate ideas; the platform’s visualization tools helped staff distill specific, actionable themes. The district translated those themes into six strategic goals using community language as action steps, producing a data‑driven plan with strong public support and renewed trust from the board and community.

Linn-Mar Community School District

Quintin Shepherd

Superintendent