A Waconia, Minnesota superintendent involved in constructing a new high school found that designing a successful music suite depended on building community support, understanding the music suite's special needs, and managing compromise and communication. A participative planning process allowed considerable input on decisions concerning acoustics,…

Site-based management cannot work without the school board's active involvement and determined support. Suggestions are offered from School District 12, Adams County, Colorado, which has been moving away from a centralized administrative system to shared decision-making. (MLF)

A community forum provides a setting and a structure for people to deliberate on issues. School district forums organized by the Center for School Study Councils are characterized by diverse participation; and a structure that encourages deliberation and clear outcomes. (MLF)

A Phi Delta Kappa survey during 1988-89 asked principals to rate the effectiveness of nine educational reform measures. Principals believed teachers reacted most positively to improved working conditions, more school autonomy, and restrictions on extracurricular activities for nonachieving students. Principals also believed that improving…

The Greendale (Wisconsin) School District uses sophisticated, two-way communication and marketing strategies to find out community concerns, gain a better understanding of all the groups in the district, create trust, and put constructive criticism to good use. "Relationship" marketing actively seeks out input from both supporters and…

To address the professional needs of principals and other middle management supervisors, school boards might consider meet-and-discuss sessions, a middle ground between unilateral board action and collective bargaining. Sessions are nonbinding, produce better decisions, confront root causes of job dissatisfaction, and can strengthen the management…

Demonstrates that school board members should periodically review their student transportation system to ensure safety, good drivers, and community support of schools. Describes how administrators gain operational understanding through field review and reporting their findings. Discusses data interpretation and application. Planning for community…

Political obstacles to curriculum changes can be avoided by inviting participation by curriculum specialists, teachers, parents, and other citizens in the decision-making process. (Author/MLF)

In response to changing school demography, a Phoenix, Arizona, elementary school district made community participation the centerpiece of a new strategic planning process. The superintendent and board set up a broadly representative planning team to identify critical issues in enrollment, funding, curriculum, and personnel. The process is…

A small Texas school district initiated a shared governance plan that involves teachers in decisions and innovations at each school. Cites some successful accomplishments along with problems inherent in time limits and the committee structure itself. (MLF)

The school design process depends on open communication and the participation of various constituencies or customers. Today's architects use a variety of strategies to make sure they build the schools communities want. Describes approaches used by three architects. (MLF)

A search for a new superintendent that involves school employees and community members gives everyone who took part a vested interest in seeing the new superintendent succeed. Offers advice about using public meetings and advisory committees in the superintendent search. (MLF)

Describes school board decisionmaking as a cooperative process that involves all local citizens. Recommends that the following six steps should be adapted to local needs: (1) brainstorm with the public; (2) publicize the results; (3) get reactions; (4) make your decisions; (5) make a commitment to the goals; and (6) publicize the goals. (CJH)

When making budget cuts, the recommendations of a citizen advisory committee can help cut spending, provide the programs communities agree are the most valuable, and give the community an opportunity to better understand the budget process. (DCS)

Construction in and around a school building can be disruptive. With planning, communication, and a willingness to be creative, a school can run smoothly and construction can also be used as a learning opportunity for students. (MLF)