The Natrona County School District takes a look at itself this week, and the community is invited to help.

Consultants from Texas-based Krenek Consulting, LLC, have been hired to perform an assessment of how the district operates as an organization. More than 350 students, teachers, district and school staff and community members will be asked about their feelings and impressions of the district and how it operates.

The two sessions for community members will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The community sessions will be held at the old Johnson Controls Building, 1044 Foster Rd.

Participants' responses remain anonymous, and the report includes general themes but not individual names or anecdotes, according to Superintendent Joel Dvorak. He said it's an opportunity for people to "get their voice in the room" about district leadership and accountability, as well as teaching and learning.

Krenek Consulting conducted an organizational assessment of the district in October 2008. Results from last year's assessment concluded there was a high level of mistrust between district and school staff and suggested improvement in 23 areas, including leadership and accountability.

Dvorak said last year's assessment directed a lot of his action during his first year in the district: working on a strategic plan, reorganizing the human resources department and building trust personally and organizationally.

"We've been working awful hard at it," he said. "I'm hopeful and I feel that this assessment will give us really good information in the eight standards we're measured against."

The assessment costs the same as last year -- about $30,000, which is paid by federal Title I money allotted for school improvement, according Dvorak. He said the assessment is like a student PAWS or growth assessment test taken annually to gauge growth and improvement.

"This is not about folks from outside," Dvorak said. "It's about getting our people to tell us what's working and not working."

To R.S.V.P for the community sessions, contact Michelle Wallace-Frank in the superintendent's office at 253-5222 or e-mail michelle_wallace-frank@natronaschools.org.

Results will be presented at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the district Central Services Facility, 970 N. Glenn Rd.

Reach education reporter Jackie Borchardt at (307) 266-0593 or at jackie.borchardt@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/reportcard.