Thanks to Matt for great questions and perspectives, and to Lori (TF member) for her extremely thoughtful response.
I'd like to briefly highlight the point Lori made about the current choice system: First off, it's important to remember that the school choice system began c. 25 yrs ago as St. Paul's voluntary desegregation plan, and continues as the primary mechanism to meet that objective. Over time, as the system has evolved in response to changing needs and our changing community, it has become cumbersome and complex -- even for people who understand how such systems work, know the questions to ask, know how to navigate through it, start and finish on time, etc. To have all those aligned at the same/right time in a single family is rare, and will never be the case for most families through no fault of their own. So when many people really don't have a great deal of choice, the system is no longer as fair and effective as it must be. We must therefore take the time to think it through carefully and rigorously, and make it better. There was a year-long set of community dialogues (and compiling of results), the Task Force whose report was presented to the School Board this week, significant staff data gathering and analysis, a number of meetings with the Board, etc. This week the Board asked staff to continue seriously pursuing this effort, clearly stating that no profound changes would be implemented prior to the 06-07 school year. It's great to see some renewed interest in this, and I hope it will continue. Please feel free to get in touch with me as noted below, and you can find contact information for staff and other Board members as well as the schedule for upcoming meetings of the Board at www.spps.org. Thanks. -- Anne Carroll, School Board ------------------------------------------------------------ Anne R. Carroll Carroll, Franck & Associates Public Involvement, Strategic Planning, Communications 1357 Highland Parkway St. Paul, MN 55116 USA [EMAIL PROTECTED] 651-690-9162 School Board: 651-690-9156 "A politician worries about the next election. A true states[wo]man worries about the next generation, and children yet unborn." - e.e. cummings "...leadership is about how you bring out the best in people. Leadership is what you give to the community you live in. Leadership is what you give to the world. Leadership is how you live an honest life... You will be more credible and you will be more powerful if you do not separate the lives you live from the words you speak." -- Paul Wellstone _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
