Relates the experience of the Bettendorf (Iowa) school system in seeking widespread community involvement in planning for drastic budget cuts. The participants' ranking of school programs is included. (WD)

A sagacious school board will ensure that its school system meets the needs of the whole community by adopting a policy supporting use of school facilities for adult education programs and activities. (Author/JM)

Citizen groups can help school boards by independently gathering faculty and administrator opinions without being a threat to either group, something that board-sponsored inquiry groups cannot do. (Author/IRT)

To help determine how limited funding resources might best improve school facilities, the Beaufort County (South Carolina) Schools instituted a broad-based citizens' facilities planning committee. After assessing needs, visiting schools, and gathering sufficient information, a coherent plan was adopted and a countywide bond referendum introduced…

A few years ago, the Williamson County (Tennessee) School District developed a strategic plan to encourage volunteers' participation. The plan includes a vision, goals, and objectives; strategies for increasing community involvement; recognition for all volunteers (via the Shining Apple Award); and program evaluation. (MLH)

Outlines arguments in favor of school-based management, which decentralizes a district's decision making so that parents, teachers, and administrators have more control over the curriculum and budget of individual schools. (IRT)

To find out attitudes toward public participation at school board meetings, interviews were conducted with 22 board members and 20 average citizens, mainly from small to medium size districts in 16 states. Findings reveal that everyone agreed the public should have an opportunity to air opinions at meetings. Opinions vary about how boards should…

Since self-evaluative efforts produce little change, school boards could benefit from evaluation by outside assessors. Such a process could describe the board's involvement in eight important actions identified by the National School Boards Association: vision, standards, assessment, accountability, alignment, learning environment, collaborative…

Based on their involvement in the Albany County, Wyoming, Elementary Education Fair, the authors offer guidelines that include beginning with a brief proposal describing the education fair, forming a steering committee, organizing the week into special days with one afternoon as a grand finale, and encouraging community participation and…

An Iowa community school district has standing curriculum committees in seven areas. Parent and community involvement strengthens the bond between schools and community members and develops public confidence in schools. Suggestions are offered. (MLF)

Offers suggestions for superintendents to follow to involve community leaders, enlist professional assistance, keep the public informed, and work through established school-based groups in seeking successful passage of a bond issue. (Author/WD)

key to facilities planning and successful bond issues is involving public. Taxpayers are unlikely to support superintendent's plan but will certainly vote for their own plan. Success means ensuring fiscally uncluttered pathway, retaining an architect, and working with demographer. Appointing broad-based community task force of about 30 members,…

Growing out of Northern Ireland's 1980s Peace Education Project (aimed at breaking down Protestant/Catholic barriers), the Education for Mutual Understanding initiative focuses first on helping schoolchildren deal with everyday conflicts in their lives. EMU uses conflict resolution and peer mediation to help schools organize into learning…

Explains how to ensure that advisory committees only advise while the school board actually runs the schools. (Author/JM)

Offers guidelines on planning for and conducting smooth, efficient, and effective board meetings. (WD)