HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-12-12 Community Relations CommitteeCOMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
4:00 P.M.
Committee Member's Present:
Citizen Member's Present:
Valerie Schey, Henry Davis
James Burns
JUNE 12.2012
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Gavin Ferlic
Other's Present: Dr. Carol Schmidt, Bill Sniadecki, Mike Schmuhl, Gary Gilot,
Kyle Chamberlin
Agenda: Presentation by Dr. Carol Schmidt, Superintendent, SBCSC, on outreach
initiative programs.
Valerie Schey, Committee Chair, began by briefly stating the purpose of the meeting
which she said was to hear the Superintendent describe her "outreach initiatives."
Valerie also said she hoped this was part of a larger commitment to build a closer
communication between the Council and School Corporation on issues of mutual
importance. She asked Dr. Schmidt to begin her presentation; but before she began
Henry Davis interjected to profess he had been an advocate for closer cooperation with
the SBCSC for some time; but had been frustrated by the separate governance and
perceived limited interest in working together by the School Board.
Dr. Schmidt then proceeded with her presentation supplemented with projected slides.
She said all subsequent references to data collected and statistics referred to were from
the last 6 -8 period. She said the School Board's mission was all about educating the
Corporations children to maximize their god given potential. She said there was
recognition to form community partnerships with all groups that have a vested interest in
this quest by them public or private. She said there was a need to raise the achievement
levels of students overall and to close the gaps in achievement levels of identified groups.
Statistical data was provided to illustrate these needs. Dr. Schmidt went on to describe
her efforts to engage parents support recounting the 4 parent forums recently conducted
where it was clearly established that parents do care. She described new and ongoing
initiatives to get parents involved including parent drop -in centers in the schools and at
site such as Boys & Girls Clubs. To that end she was also increasing technological
access for parents so that they could get current feedback on their child's progress from
their teachers.
Henry Davis interjected that teachers and students should be able to take advantage of the
capabilities of the fiber optic Metronet.
Dr. Schmidt welcomed the suggestions underlining the constant effort on her part to
manage all resources available to them wisely recognizing the schools operate in a
competitive educational environment.
During a Question & Answer portion Valier asked about the Wilson Lipps Program. Dr.
Schmidt said this phonemic awareness program meant to help children to learn to read
was moving ahead. Addressing efforts to close gaps and inequities in expulsions,
suspensions, and grade Dr. Schmidt again noted the importance of engaging parents. She
said she was directing a re- allocation of resources to close disparities and enlisting the
help of organizations like the NAACP and the Ministerial Alliance to help devise
effective approaches. ,
Henry Davis asked if the school corporation was dealing with any organizations other
than those clearly minority identified?
The Superintendent said they were working with the universities, the YMCA, and the
mentoring programs that have had a recent boost in interest.
James Burns, Citizen Member, said from his own experience of having children in South
Bend schools as well as volunteering as a mentor, that anything that can be done to bring
parents in will be a great plus for the kids.
Valerie Schey asked if there was any federal financial support available for technology in
schools. Dr. Schmidt said the available federal dollars were insignificant. Most monies
come from the state.
Additional discussion about a variety of topics followed before Chairperson Schey
adjourned the meeting at 5:14 p.m.
Resp ctfully Submitted,
Valerie Schey, Chairperson
Community Relations Committee