10-09-06 Informal Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Informal Meeting 2006 South Bend Common Council The October 9, 2006 Informal meeting of the of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by Chairperson, Council President Timothy A. Rouse, at 4:48 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Varner, Kuspa, Rouse, Kelly, Kirsits, Dieter, and Puzzello; Community and Economic Development Executive Director Sharon Kendall, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Martha Lewis, City Clerk John Voorde, Martin Wolfson, Mrs. Kopola, Rob Staley, Ed Kiefer, Cliff Miller, Bab Brawn, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. The Crossing Educational Center: Council President Rouse welcomed Rob Staley, Ed Kiefer, Cliff Miller, Bob Brown of The Crossing Educational Center. Mr. Staley welcomed the opportunity to speak with the Council, and introduced all of the representatives from The Crossing. He provided handouts to the Council (copy attached}. He noted that he was the Principal of Concord High School in Elkhart for many years and saw the critical need for at risk programming. Mr. Staley noted that public education is great however he believes that there is a gap which must be addressed, especially in light of the unaccepted high drop out rates. They thought that a new school environment was need. The Crossing has locations in Goshen, Middlebury, Elkhart and South Bend. They are developing different locations and are located at 1820 South Michigan Street and are working closely with Jim Frick. They have block parties, and utilize support groups; and an adult education group will soon be started . The Crossing Educational Centers focus on the academic, physical, social and spiritual needs, believing that this focus is more important than dollars. They are state accredited high schools. In this area there is a 50% drop out rate where 7DD students are leaving each year. In order to address this need they write multiple grants, with the cost per student being $3,6D0. The teacher-student ratio is 1-5 and in limited situations is 1-7. They focus on relationships and not power. In January 20D4 they began with 35D students in Elkhart County. They have experienced only a 2% drop out rate. He noted that students that leave the program "either end up in jail or die", therefore they do everything to keep each person involved in succeeding. They work closely with the court systems, social workers and the Sheriff's Office. They see their program as a "good valuable alternative". Students must pass ISTEP and approximately 30% of their students have special needs. Each student is required to reach a level of 80%, otherwise they must repeat a course. They believe that helping each student reach such levels builds success, and gives them hope in each of their lives, since each one "has the potential to be a future CEO".