04-26-2021 Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Karen L. \'(!hi te President Sharon L. McBride Vice-President Sheila iezgodski Chairperson, Committee of the \'('hole Cannetl1 Lee First District He1111' Davis, Jr. Second Dis trier Sharon L. McBride Third District Troy Warner Fourtl1 District Jake Teshka Fifth District Sheila iezgodski Sixth District Karen L. \'(flute r\t Large Rachel Tomas Morgan r\t Large Lori K. Hamann At Large City of South Bend Common Council .J.41 County-City Building• 227 W. Jefferson Blvd Souili Bend, Indiana 46601 (57+) 235-9321 Fax (57+) 235-9173 TDD (574) 235-5567 http:/ /www.southbendin.gov February 3, 2021 South Bend Common Council 4th Floor, County-City Building South Bend, IN 46601 Re: A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCILCALLING FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE SOUTH BEND SCHOOL BOARD AND SOUTH BEND CITY OFFICIALS TO PREVENT DECLINE OF NEIGHBORHOODS RESULTING FROM DECISIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD Dear Council Members: As you all know, the South Bend School Superintendent recently announced plans to close two schools at the end of this academic year and suggested that a high school may be closed next year. These are decisions that should not be made in a vacuum without consideration and a full and transparent discussion of how decisions related to changes in the use of school facilities impact the vitality and livability of neighborhoods. This same issue led to the passage of Ordinance No. 9964-09 in 2009 which states, in part, "The Chairperson of the Community Relations Committee shall schedule not less than two (2) committee meetings each calendar year inviting the superintendent, school trustees of the South Bend Community School Board of Trustees, their committees or designated representatives and other non-public school officials operating within the City of South Bend to discuss school/community relations. The Chairperson may schedule any additional meetings in a calendar year on school/community relations as he or she deems appropriate" Several articles were submitted with the filing of the proposed ordinance in 2009. These articles recognized positive benefits to regular and ongoing dialogue among elected officials representing public schools, local government officials and community residents including: •By bridging the fields of education and urban policies, it helps to create equitable, diverse and livable cities and school •By creating connections between cities and schools, it helps foster a collaborative environment for public schools, local government, community leaders and neighborhood residents to help achieve goals which embrace public policy, urban planning and quality educational practices BILL NO. 21-03