This document has been formatted for printing from your browser from the Web site of the Illinois Association of School Boards.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE -- This document is © copyrighted by the Illinois Association of School Boards. IASB hereby grants to school districts and other Internet users the right to download, print and reproduce this document provided that (a) the Illinois Association of School Boards is noted as publisher and copyright holder of the document and (b) any reproductions of this document are disseminated without charge and not used for any commercial purpose.

Illinois School Board Journal
July/August 2001

Partnering with the community:
A great investment

By Robert J. Madonia

Having a partnership with the community has been a great investment for the families of Komarek School District 94.

After employing a consultant to assess the community's perception of the school district, it was noted that District 94 was the best-kept secret in the area. Homeowners in the community were well aware of the school system and held it in high regard. However, the corporate and commercial base wasn't even aware which school district was being supported with their tax dollars.

After receiving this data, the school board embarked on a plan to improve the perception of the school in the community by involving area citizens and pursuing community/school partnerships. These goals were put in place in 1997. The plan was successfully completed in 2000. (See "Partnership Dividends".)

The district developed a quarterly newsletter, which was delivered to every mailbox in the school community to highlight important information about the school district. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase students, staff and positive things that were taking place. Everyone was informed of the district's vision to form stronger connections to the community and to keep communication flowing at all times.

The next part of the plan involved bringing community groups into the school to see what the district was all about. This was achieved through a series of "community coffees." These coffees were held for village trustees and mayors; the "Golden Agers" senior citizen group; "LINK" (parents with young children); the chief executive officers of our corporate and commercial base; local church pastors; area legislators; and district-wide citizens. All of these coffees began with a highlight of the history of the school district, followed by an explanation of the academic programs and a complete tour of the two buildings in the district. The program concluded with refreshments in a social setting. All guests left with a much better understanding of the school district.

In an effort to cement relationships, visits were made to General Motors and Replogle Globe, which opened the door for student access to these facilities. At Replogle Globe, students were allowed to tour the plant on field trips, and the company gave each child a globe at a very nominal cost.

A school-business partnership was established with General Motors. Corporate executives taught the Junior Achievement Program units in career planning and life skills. Students were allowed to tour the G.M. plant, spending the day functioning in the role of an employee. The company president spoke at graduation and also gave students motivational speeches on attitude and its relationship to success. Grant money from G.M. financed technology purchases.

Another part of the program involved teachers and students going out into the community. Musical programs were performed for senior citizens in area nursing homes. Field trips were scheduled to the library, police and fire departments. Students volunteered their time at Ronald McDonald House on the campus of Loyola Medical Center.

Students also attended a village board meeting and played the roles of mayor and trustees. Sitting next to the person they were mirroring was an excellent lesson in government.

The local village was very helpful in sharing school parking construction costs, partnering for community computer classes in our school, and bringing in the local police and fire departments to talk to our children.

Involvement in the school district was established early. Representatives from different facets of the community served on a foundation inquiry board and an advisory board. The first board researched the possibility of establishing a school district foundation to access revenue in the future. The second board collected input regarding school board issues. This was a key step to cementing community involvement.

Fiscally, this initiative helped the district two ways: First, grant money was secured, which directly increased our revenue base. Second - and most importantly - was the community relationship that was built, which yielded trust and confidence. Any future fiscal concern has a better chance of support from the community. The investment in the partnerships has great possibilities for future dividends to be reaped by the children of Komarek School District 94!