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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Communications September 25, 2006 |
Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Auditorium Madison, Wisconsin |
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Communications Committee meeting was called to order by Chair Arlene Silveira at 5 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Board Members Arlene Silveira, Lucy Mathiak, Ruth Robarts
Citizen Members Deb Gurke, Tim Saterfield
MEMBERS ABSENT: Citizen Member Wayne Strong
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen
STAFF PRESENT: Sue Abplanalp, Mary Gulbrandsen, Pam Nash, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Marcia Standiford, Ken Syke, Ann Wilson-Recording Secretary
1. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Ruth Robarts to approve the minutes of the Communications Committee meeting dated September 11, 2006. Deb Gurke requested a change in wording in number 5, under Discussion. Change the second to the last bulleted phrase to read - Differentiating between communications "with" people rather than "to" people. The motion to approve the minutes as amended was unanimously approved.
2. Public Appearances
There were no public appearances.
3. Announcements
Arlene Silveira announced that, in June, the Board voted unanimously to go to referendum. The $23.5 million referendum is a single question with three parts. It allows for building a new school at Linden Park on the far west side, financing for more classroom space at Leopold Elementary School, and providing revenue cap relief via refinancing. The referendum is Tuesday, November 7. Information is available on the District's website at www.mmsd.org.
4. Engaging the Public in Dealing with MMSD Funding Issues
(Written materials provided at the meeting: Dane County Comprehensive Community Plan distributed by Tim Saterfield - attached to the original copy of these minutes.)
Arlene Silveira noted that every year there are still questions from people about how they can become involved and there are a number of people who do not understand funding issues. The question the committee is dealing with is how to get information to people so they will be empowered to work for changes in the way public education is funded. She referenced earlier information from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards that speaks to empowering the community to make changes.
Tim Saterfield introduced a document, Dane County Comprehensive Community Plan, as an example of a public participation plan. This plan shows different aspects of the public participation process with several levels of public involvement. He gave some examples of what the County did in each of the categories to engage the public in the development of the Dane County Comprehensive Community Plan.
Ruth Robarts noted the Wisconsin Association for Excellent Schools had given a presentation last year and they may be continuing their statewide efforts. There were other examples of groups that are working in this area and putting together information (i.e., the East Side Coalition). Ms. Robarts noted that she did not recall recent district active participation in statewide, multi-government efforts.
Art Rainwater noted the "One Voice" effort by state Superintendents to address the educational issues raised by school funding.
FOLLOW-UP:
· It was requested that Joe Quick provide a report/update to the committee on any recent efforts to advocate or provide information about school funding that the district could tie into.
· It was requested that Superintendent Rainwater make a presentation about the work of superintendents in the state to address educational issues resulting from school funding.
5. Communications Goal
It was moved by Tim Saterfield and seconded by Deb Gurke to approve as the Communications Goal: to provide the Board of Education with information about community values, concerns, and goals for the school system, encouraging a sense of community ownership in the MMSD, in order to provide guidance to the MMSD. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
6. Discussion of Community Conversations Program
(Written material provided in advance of the meeting: Community Conversations - Draft for Review - attached to the original copy of these minutes.)
Arlene Silveira briefly went through the document. The general concept is to initiate a series of community conversations throughout the community that will provide information so that the Board of Education will be able to understand what the community values in public education in general, and in Madison, in order to provide guidance to the district.
DISCUSSION:
· Involve partner organizations early in the process including planning.
· Two types of partner organizations - those that represent a community and those that could provide funding.
· Similarities with the Schools of Hope project. Included listening sessions.
· Neighborhood centers are good contacts and many times can provide facilitators.
· Would like to see "grass roots" neighborhood level groups included. Keep conversation in community, not just around the boardroom table.
The next steps in the process are to further develop the draft document, making sure there is opportunity for participation and financial support, develop a proposal for partnering, and identify a facilitator. Arlene Silveira requested that any additional thoughts or suggestions be forwarded to her.
7. Other Business
There was no other business.
8. Adjournment
It was moved by Deb Gurke and seconded by Ruth Robarts to adjourn the meeting at 5:46 p.m. Motion unanimously carried by those present.
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