Residents say lack of trust is major obstacle
By GENE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
Residents of the Stevens Point Area Public School District said lack of trust in the administration and school board from the community is the major obstacle facing the school district.
That lack of trust was the most frequently mentioned response to six questions asked at a series of focus-group sessions held by the Hoffman Corp. during the past two months.
The Hoffman Corp. conducted the sessions to solicit input from the public about the district to help the district chart a course of action. The study was done without cost to the district and copies of the executive summary are available by calling 345-5456.
A complete comprehensive report is also available and can be picked up at Bliss Educational Services Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. That report goes through the responses to each question at each session.
The lack of trust was mentioned by 31 percent of respondents as the major obstacle facing the district. Lack of effective communication was listed by 22 percent and state revenue caps, the obstacle most frequently listed by school officials, was rated the major obstacle by 18 percent.
Other obstacles mentioned included money/funding, clarity of strategic plan for the district, limited community interest and involvement, mandated programs not funded, too many programs, poor perception of educational staff within the community, one high school, lack of facility maintenance and ostracized attitude toward drug/alcohol/sex.
The second largest response to the questions was for "what do you hope your school district will be known for in the future?" There, 30 percent of the respondents answered academic excellence. Another 15 percent wanted strong leadership and school board, while 10 percent said community involvement and partnership.
Other responses included opportunities for all kids; preparing the whole student for the future; strong fine arts and music program; quality facilities; excellent teachers; harmony between board, teachers and community; caring for all kids in district; smaller high school to create better opportunities; fiscal responsibility and clean vision for the future.
In response to the question "what is your school district known for today?" 24 percent said it's the largest high school in the state, 20 percent said high quality education and 11 percent responded lack of vision.
The next tier of responses included failed referenda, strong sports teams and extracurriculars, financial difficulty, need for increased communication throughout, first-rate music and theater, large school district overall, quality management, kids just pushed through the system, crumbling facilities and middle/average kids getting lost (no recognition).
The question "What additional programs and/or services should be provided for students by your school district?" brought responses from 18 percent favoring foreign language for kindergarten and up and the same percentage said small class sizes. Another 13 percent said discipline and character development.
Other responses included updated technology and computers, develop in-place programs but no additional programs, guidance counselors in all schools, integration of technology into the classroom, quality control audit, more tech ed and vocational training, more focus on basic programming, adequate space for existing programs and programs for non-college bound.
As far as additional programs and/or services that the school district should provide to the community, 22 percent said community use of buildings for meetings and recreation space, 17 percent said increased communication.
The next group of responses included volunteer coordinator and programs, literacy/outreach programs, access to computer labs, student programs are more important than community programs, monthly district newsletter, community service as requirement, adult education, parenting education programming, before- and after-school care program, facility equity of all schools and more cooperation with community organizations.
If the respondents were given a magic wand to improve the facilities of the district, 17 percent favored a unified school board with strong leadership, another 17 percent favored equal facilities and education at all schools and 15 percent said a second high school.
Other responses garnering support of more than 3 percent included lower student/teacher ratio, state of the art technology and equipment, 9-12 high school and 6-8 middle school, streamline educational curriculum, safe environment and increased community involvement.
The responses from less than 3 percent of those attending included more effective communication to the community, adequate alternative school, put kids first, closed campus at high school, improve mechanicals/energy efficiency/daylighting, expand and improve SPASH, second high school in Plover, year-round school, improve existing facilities, fiscal responsibility, drug free/alcohol free,
Also, larger room sizes, keep neighborhood schools/confirm boundaries, 10-year long-range plan, build more learner friendly, quality maintenance program for facilities, maintain quality teachers and learning opportunities, pool at Ben Franklin, separate school district for Plover, later start time for junior and senior high, appropriate classrooms for programs and eliminate 9-12 grades so just have credits to graduate.
The Stevens Point Area Board of Education and other school officials will now review the study and responses.