06-12-12 Community Relations Committee

Home Browse Search

COMMUNITY 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.