The Plan is better than I expected. But, it is hard to find and 47 pages long.
To find it, go to the MPS > Community Engagement > then open the pdf under progress reports labeled "June 13". They will no doubt make that easier to get to, soon. I'm also more than a little nervous about the open mindedness of the Facilities Utilization Group. On P. 21, the plan states "the group will hold four dates in July to obtain community input on criteria for school closings." Notice that it does not say the group is looking for criteria to determine how best to use the existing facilities, which is one of the goals of the overall plan. I'm afraid that the Facilities Group is going to barge ahead with a goal of closing schools and never mind what the community Engagement Process reveals. The lack of specifics about how the two groups will work together suggests that they might not. I hope to be proved wrong. One of the most useful things about the report is the appendix where the significant initiatives of the MPS in the last 15 years or so are described with comments relative to the Community Engagement Process. If the Community Engagement Process can accomplish the information utilization and feedback piece, so lacking of late, it will almost be worth the price tag. >From "the Plan" P. B-3 "Utilization of information gathered from the process. People are often frustrated by community involvement processes and feel as if their voice has not been heard when no explanation is offered as to how the community voice was used to make the decision. Most people understand they might not get the decision they hoped for but they want to know that their opinion was considered in the decision-making process." Now, if we can just figure out how to have a significant number of citizens and parents actually read and react to the report. How about an extra recess after you have posted on the list with your best idea gleaned from the reading? Dan McGuire Ericsson REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
