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The Next Generation: Our Kids, Our Community
Advisory Committee Meeting Notes
March 21, 2007
Members in Attendance:
Darby Brown, Barbara Cadiente-Nelson, Phyllis Carlson, Chris Carte, Sonja Engle, Ron Flint, Alberta Jones, , Tracy Kubley, Gary Lehnhart, Nia Maake, Sarah Marino, Haley Nelson, Joe Nelson, Sandra Pahlke, Bill Ralston, Destiny Sargeant, Laury Scandling, Bernie Sorenson, Roberta Stell, Teri Tibbett, Chrissy Walker, Shea Wilcox, Charla Wright
Grounding:
For a grounding activity, the group participated in three rounds of “trios,” responding to the following questions:
1. Which belief statement really resonates with you and why?
2. Take that belief statement and describe what it would look like in a school.
3. What belief statement do you think presents the greatest challenge and why.
At the end of the activity, participants shared what they had learned from their conversations about belief statements and discussed what differences they think these belief statements can make in the high school program.Reviewing the Process: The process for developing an educational plan from this point forward was reviewed. It is as follows:
o Review feedback
o Sub-group will synthesize details, work out costs, and come back next time with a draft recommendation
o At the next meeting, we will refine and hopefully finalize proposal
o Recommendation will be presented to Facilities and Program Committees and then the School Board.
o An implementation team will be created to take the work forward.
Reviewing Feedback:
The Advisory Committee was given packets of the feedback forms from the first two Open Houses, as well as middle school students’ responses to the proposals. After reading them, they discussed their initial thoughts in small groups. This activity then concluded with committee members voicing “advice” for the sub-group to consider as they work during the next two weeks.
NOTE: All feedback from the Open Houses is now available on the website.
Advice to Keep in Mind:
- Address issues of we’re the community here in this room. We represent the major constituency groups, and we are the public voice.
- How can we make distinctions more clear to the community?
- Feedback seems to indicate confusion over small schools and career academies.
- Model doesn’t matter if it doesn’t impact the people delivering the model—the teachers. We can take any model and make if successful, IF we have the players. Whatever model must have a component to prepare teachers to do well.
- Need motivation piece—teacher piece. Teachers are not ready yet. This is essential.
- Money piece is essential. Teachers will burn out if they don’t have support. Sustaining the effort is important.
- Dave and Linda should summarize what they’ve heard, especially since “conversations” don’t get written down.
- This committee represents constituency groups—listen to us as well as the community. We’ve grown and changed→ We’ve gained insight as a result of our work and study during the past few months → include our opinions and thoughts.
- Staff comments—there is fear that they went through a two year process and now feel left out. I think the staff is ready, but there is a lot of fear. They didn’t see their proposals up there.
- There’s no conspiracy in coaches—they differ in opinions as well as the community. Wonder how/why community has changed to support 9/10 & 11/12 when this option was voted down?
- No vote has been a clear mandate.
- Keep in mind, people change ideas as the actual time gets closer.
- Must keep in mind data and belief statements! Must change—regardless of fear—in order to make this successful for ALL kids. Keep thinking about our profile!
- People want unity—that must be an important part of any proposal and other ingredients.
- Concern that there was no Native Alaskan quote in newsletter
- Last time we agreed to be disturbed, and we have been tonight!
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, April 11th, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Tlingit & Heida Vocational Training Center
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