09-14-09 Common Council Meeting Agenda & Packet

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SpU TH ~~ ~ ~~, \EACE/ ~ I865 441 County-City Building • 227 W. Jefferson Blvd South Bend, Indiana 46601-1830 Derek D. Dieter President Oliver J. Davis Vice-President Ann Puzzello Chairperson, Committee of the Whole Derek D. Dieter First District Henry Davis, Jr. Second District Thomas LaFountain Third District Ann Puzzello Fourth District David Varner Fifth District Oliver J. Davis Sixth District Al "Buddy' Kirsits At Large Timothy A. Rouse At Large Karen L_ White At Large September 9, 2009 (574) 235-9321 Fax (574} 235-9173 TDD (574) 235-5567 http: //www. southbendin. gov Members of the Common Council ~~ ' ~ ~ ~ r,~,~ 4th Floor County-City Building ~`-, ~ South Bend, Indiana 46601 Re: ®rdanance Enhancing the Duties of the Council's Cotn~.unity . IZelations Coananittee Dear Council Members: During the past few weeks, school children throughout the City of South Bend have been returning to public and non-public schools for the 2009-2010 school year. It is our hope that with the excitement of the new school year, that we can create and formalize a mechanism for better public dialogue between members of the South Bend Common Council, the school superintendent, school trustees of the South Bend Community School Corporation Board of Trustees, their committees and/or their representatives; as well as with other non-public school officials operating schools within the City of South Bend. As noted in the attached articles, there are many positive benefits to regular and ongoing dialogue among elected officials representing public schools, local government officials and community residents. Some of these noted benefits include: By bridging the fields of education and urban policies, it helps create equitable, diverse and livable cities and schools By creating connections between cities and schools, it helps foster a collaborative environment for public schools, local government, community leaders, and neighborhood residents help to achieve goals which embracepublic policy, urban planning and quality educational practices o "Connecting schoolwork to fun, engaging activities -like community planning brainstorming - is important", Center for Cities & Schools, Fall Forum 2005, School as Cerrter• of Community: Ho~v Emeryville is Transforrrzing its Schools and City Policies by Flacir~g Education at the Heart of Redevelopment, p.12. The proposed new language in the attached ordinance is underlined. It would be codified into Section 2-10(1)(3) of the South Bend Municipal Code which addresses the eleven (11) standing committees of the South Bend Common Council.