11-12-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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city hall places a high priority on children, and focuses on the opportunities for educational en- hancement in most city functions. As former Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser suggests, "Bringing about a change in the culture of city hall is crucial. and is the first step in changing the culture of the larger community." There are many aspects of local governing where this is possible, including city budgeting and policy - making, econorruc development and redevelop- ment, public safery, and youth participation and leadership development. Within the community. Ensuring that stu- dents of all ages have the supports and opportu- nities they need to succeed in school is a corn- munity -wide responsibility. Enriching before - and after- school care for young children, pro- viding mentors. tutoring, job training, commu- nity service opporcunides, and chances to ex- plore potential career paths. are all necessary to the development of capable. competent young people. Municipal government neither can nor should provide all of these services, 'out it plays an important role as a funder, convenor or bro- ker, helping to make sure chat such programs exist and are accessible to every student in the city. Collaborative relationships between cities and schools. In many communities, cities and school districts are forming partnerships to move be- yond joindy sponsoring individual programs. They are collaborating on planning and budget- ing to help them meet long -term goals for their community. Three approaches chat help to in- e.. "Supporting education is not a program. It is a process of committing municipal government to the ownership of education as a Tide -long process important to the success of communities." —"@e Gha gRdeofLacaIComment 17 tenatua^11LC1931 sdtudonalize this work include meetings be- tween the elected leadership of the city and schools, joindy sponsored community-based planning, and creation of school -based commu- nity centers. These approaches are not mutually exclusive, and, in fact. may be most successful if used together. While the National League of Cities and other national organizations advocate for cities to partner with their schools in order to achieve beaer outcomes for children, the relationship is not always easy or natural. The inherent diffi- culties in forging such partnerships stem from differences in governance. financing, bound- aries, or focus and direction. Partners for children and families The need for municipal officials to participate in bringing together the forces that can support young people and improve their education is clear. The trend in education is to consider youth holistically. This requires bringing schools and the community together. Whether it is working together for more joint use farili- des, to revirniive the inner city, promote eco- nomic development. or enhance the quality of programs for youth in the community, it is time to ask "why not" more often when tines and schools consider working together. r John E. Kyle is program director of the National League of Cities Children & Families in Cities Pro- gram. Information in this article will soon be pub- lished as an NLC New Direcnons brief. LESSONS LEARNED- FROM'. CITY - SCHOOL COLLABORATION - Cityoffrr ials zeportseveral .lessons¢ hey -.have_teamednhat ay,bethelpfaldnleasing the- development.of city ;and school-partnerships: 1_..A. greatdeal ofpatience: and- undetsrand ng- isineedede:6 overcomemisaysc .berweea.dties.andschool systems:dt;' rakes - dmeanda. common- goal.to-screngthen good-F *li . J_ auildabroad . base-of supportso-there isan.antomaic.. end.diver :gtoup.rherwilladvocate forhuancial and • ofirical:suppotc - 2-Accepting differencezin oiga zaionand__g :: 6- Stamwichapositiveatamde.based .on- thebelie£siiac • - nri:leamingto work together. despite -she.:diffeimcesas -. : ihesiajorylayesdn:both ctw govemmenc-andschool nr ical.forsucceu. xsystemsamdeatand rheybaveaiuponsibilityto -serve yonrhmuftharrheywantzothelp.. B.... Akhough. ch ange :often:comes:fmm-rhewp,�tm be , .ttpinn nredacthe school:buildmglevel . °_ '::: ._y,,,_. '' :: hesnorncchavxoscs}iaffig canbethgtaed out,-theiur - > -' >y ^ t.{,r. -. wri.o1ong cess:will_be —reco that .:-9- - Crcatcwin -win situatons_All sides:araIlleve ses `t r- `rhzx»stiiffie le -. - - -seethe:benents of working- "°1"'�'. • 12 Page 65 Aucusr 997