Fairhope, Alabama
WANTS TO CONTINUE WORK
Now that $350,000 has been approved to assist classrooms this year, the Educational Advisory Committee is asking the city council's approval to "set in motion a charrette focusing on education in Fairhope feeder pattern schools."
The committee consists of citizen-volunteers Henry Clark, Gretchen Schapker, Jim Kellen, Karen Mullins, Bob Riggs, and Julia Summerlin.
(charrette: A period of intense work, especially group work, undertaken to meet a deadline.)
"We propose that a charrette, or community meetings, be arranged with the purpose of creating a planning system that engages educators, citizens, organizations and other collaborators. The plan will include soliciting ideas and feedback from the Fairhope stakeholders. Once a vision of development is established we can move forward together and be successful in our ultimate goal of making Fairhope schools exemplary."
The Committee is asking the city provide a place to hold such meetings (perhaps the civic center) and office supplies (copies, etc.).
Committee co-chair Henry Clark: "We are asking for the Mayor and council's endorsement to follow this avenue ... its not going to be a committee plan... goal to be a community plan ... built by every segment of the population ... ."
FUNDING AN ISSUE
Council member Brewer: "They see a need now to take a step back ... and come up with a plan ... what does the community want? They want our blessing to move forward ... in concert with the Board of Education."
Mayor Kant: "I want to make sure ... we're not going off in the direction of creating a separate school system ... believe in my heart we ought to be assisting the School Board ... to make our schools better ... ."
Kant noted the city already spends $500,000/year to supplement school-related sports activities in the city.
The Baldwin County Schools' liaison to the committee (Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Stephanie Harrison) endorsed the proposal as a way "to make Fairhope schools meet the needs of the community": "The charrette concept is a great idea ... like to see principals and the BOE play a leadership role ... ."
Kant: "If we're going to do this right ... have to have all he different stakeholders, senior citizens, children, parents, professionals ... planning is only as good as the time we put in it ... (not) if we're doing it just to get by ... to have some document to say oh, we did something. We've got some talented people here ... get that plan in some type of form ... I think the council would be in favor ... as long as you have all the stakeholders involved ... that's what I'd like to see ... ."
Councilmember Boone and Ford expressed reluctance to commit to spending any more money, without knowing the ultimate outcome of the committee's work.
Boone: "Its a great idea but some body's got to pay for it ... need to know how much ... ."
Council member Burrell: "I'm for a plan ... want you to go forward ... (but) concerned with unknowns ... finances have to be part of the plan ... ." Burrell added he'd hate for the committee to put in a lot of work .. and the council ultimately not approve the final proposal, if it proves too costly for the city.
Councilman Mueller favored the proposal: "Pursuing a plan is a good idea ... we should do this ... we are endorsing pursuing a plan ... not the outcome."
EAC members Summerlin and Kellen reiterated all they were asking from the city at this point in time is a place large enough to hold community meetings -- and for office supplies.
A resolution endorsing the committee's plan was to be drawn up -- to be voted on at a future council meeting.
Now that $350,000 has been approved to assist classrooms this year, the Educational Advisory Committee is asking the city council's approval to "set in motion a charrette focusing on education in Fairhope feeder pattern schools."
The committee consists of citizen-volunteers Henry Clark, Gretchen Schapker, Jim Kellen, Karen Mullins, Bob Riggs, and Julia Summerlin.
(charrette: A period of intense work, especially group work, undertaken to meet a deadline.)
"We propose that a charrette, or community meetings, be arranged with the purpose of creating a planning system that engages educators, citizens, organizations and other collaborators. The plan will include soliciting ideas and feedback from the Fairhope stakeholders. Once a vision of development is established we can move forward together and be successful in our ultimate goal of making Fairhope schools exemplary."
The Committee is asking the city provide a place to hold such meetings (perhaps the civic center) and office supplies (copies, etc.).
Committee co-chair Henry Clark: "We are asking for the Mayor and council's endorsement to follow this avenue ... its not going to be a committee plan... goal to be a community plan ... built by every segment of the population ... ."
FUNDING AN ISSUE
Council member Brewer: "They see a need now to take a step back ... and come up with a plan ... what does the community want? They want our blessing to move forward ... in concert with the Board of Education."
Mayor Kant: "I want to make sure ... we're not going off in the direction of creating a separate school system ... believe in my heart we ought to be assisting the School Board ... to make our schools better ... ."
Kant noted the city already spends $500,000/year to supplement school-related sports activities in the city.
The Baldwin County Schools' liaison to the committee (Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Stephanie Harrison) endorsed the proposal as a way "to make Fairhope schools meet the needs of the community": "The charrette concept is a great idea ... like to see principals and the BOE play a leadership role ... ."
Kant: "If we're going to do this right ... have to have all he different stakeholders, senior citizens, children, parents, professionals ... planning is only as good as the time we put in it ... (not) if we're doing it just to get by ... to have some document to say oh, we did something. We've got some talented people here ... get that plan in some type of form ... I think the council would be in favor ... as long as you have all the stakeholders involved ... that's what I'd like to see ... ."
Councilmember Boone and Ford expressed reluctance to commit to spending any more money, without knowing the ultimate outcome of the committee's work.
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Council member Burrell: "I'm for a plan ... want you to go forward ... (but) concerned with unknowns ... finances have to be part of the plan ... ." Burrell added he'd hate for the committee to put in a lot of work .. and the council ultimately not approve the final proposal, if it proves too costly for the city.
Councilman Mueller favored the proposal: "Pursuing a plan is a good idea ... we should do this ... we are endorsing pursuing a plan ... not the outcome."
EAC members Summerlin and Kellen reiterated all they were asking from the city at this point in time is a place large enough to hold community meetings -- and for office supplies.
A resolution endorsing the committee's plan was to be drawn up -- to be voted on at a future council meeting.
Comments
Secondly, this has been done before (without the fancy name).
And lastly, if you want to know what our schools need? Ask the teachers and the principals. No hand wringing or ego required.