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2014 “In Common” Listening Tour Report
Monroe Public Schools conducted the In Common Listening Tour to listen to the community’s
perceptions, thoughts, and visions for the future of Monroe school facilities. The tour included
57 events from August to November 2014 with participation ranging from a city park‐full at
Night Out Against Crime to a handful at a community service club meeting. A cumulative total
of almost 500 individuals shared their insights in formal “listens” with hundreds of others
reviewing or commenting at “booth”‐type events that did not allow for a group presentation.
By gathering various perspectives from the community, the district has developed a better
understanding of its community’s wishes in how to improve schools and support facilities. In
addition to the face‐to‐face
events, an online Listening Tour
using the ThoughtExchange
process was also held. See
attached for feedback from that
process.
As a result, Monroe Public Schools
hopes to move forward with
community support to further
develop these community
relationships established throughout the Listening Tour with improving facilities as resources
allow.
PROCEDURE
The community was invited to share its thoughts on Monroe Public Schools’ facilities as part of
the “In Common” Listening Tour. Contact was made with families, school booster groups,
community organizations, and local businesses to encourage hosting a tour. As a result, almost
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40
Nuim
ber of Groups Consulted
Listening Tour Events
Business Community Families
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60 sessions were held during four months. Those consulted include families, civic groups,
community members, local businesses, Monroe Public Schools’ staff, and students. Meetings
were held at schools, parks, and various local sites.
One or more school board representative(s) and a district representative were present to listen
to the community’s feedback and record responses. The participants were specifically
encouraged to share their views of Monroe Public Schools’ facilities in relation to the recent
recommendations from the Capital Facilities Planning Committee. In addition, community
members were asked what might be missing from the Committee’s recommendations as well
as being encouraged to offer other advice or suggestions. This facilities‐focused Listening Tour
followed an online Listening Tour using the ThoughtExchange process where advice and
suggestions were received about the district’s strengths and opportunities to improve. See
attached.
KEY FINDINGS
As a result of the “In Common” Listening Tour, the projects suggested by the Capital Facilities
Planning Committee gaining the most support should the School Board put a bond before
voters are ranked below. The project ranked as number one has the highest priority based on
returned feedback forms. While not all of the items ranked were included in the Facilities
Committee’s work, these were the top responses.
1. Modernize Park Place Middle
2. Consolidate & expand Frank Wagner Elementary
3. Catch up on Small Capital/Major Maintenance
4. Build all‐weather ball fields at Monroe High School
5. Expand Hidden River Middle School
6. Modernize/expand Salem Woods Elementary School
7. Reduce use of portable classrooms
8. Improve technology
9. Replace roof at Chain Lake Elementary
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Modernizing Park Place Middle School was the top priority for all groups leading all other
recommendations by a 3‐1 margin ahead of the second ranked project ‐ consolidating and
expanding Frank Wagner Elementary School. Catching up on small capital and major
maintenance projects followed Frank Wagner by a handful of responses. Building all‐weather
ball fields at Monroe High School was closely followed by expanding Hidden River Middle
School. Modernizing/expand Salem Woods rose higher than the committee’s recommended list
but total cost is still a factor to “listeners” in their desire to maintain the current bond tax rate.
Missing from the list
The following ideas were cited most often when responding to “what is missing from the list” of
recommendations from the Capital Facilities Committee. The list below is ranked in order of
how often the suggestion was mentioned. Note that some suggestions were “tied” in their
rankings.
It is clear more communication is needed to inform about the expected outcomes from the
recently approved Technology Levy. It is interesting to note that of all the groups to participate
in the face‐to‐face Listening Tour, the students in the Monroe High School ASB class provided
the most suggestions. It is strongly recommended that the School Board re‐visit that group with
the results of this Listening Tour and to seek feedback on other initiatives.
1. Improve technology (electronics, computers, telephone system)
2. Expand Dual Language program
3. Add a roof to the visitor bleachers at Bearcat Stadium
4. Expand bus fleet and routes to reduce ride time; Reduce class size/add spaces for
accomplish smaller class sizes; Expand all‐day Kindergarten without tuition
5. Add a pool at Monroe High School; Improve traffic/parking at Monroe High School;
Update the Administration Building
6. Increase the number of and opportunity for advanced classes; Ensure greater equity
of opportunities between schools
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Other advice and suggestions
The following proposals were cited most often when responding to “other advice and
suggestions” for the School Board. The list is in ranked order of how often the suggestion was
cited. Again, it is clear greater effort is needed to communicate the plans to implement the
recently approved Technology Levy. Many respondents expressed appreciation of the effort to
keep bond tax rates with the levels expected in 2015. This section was the least often
completed on the feedback forms.
1. Expand Dual Language program
2. Keep taxes the same
3. Buy more property for the future
4. Update the Administration Building; Sports facilities should be least important
5. Increase staff development
6. Improve technology – new computers
In addition to the feedback about facilities, Listening Tours included a report of the immediate
action taken as a result of feedback from the 2013 Great Expectations Listening Tour. In 2013
the key findings were high quality of staff, limited resource availability, wide range of student
opportunities, and need to improve community relations. Efforts to respond to those key
findings included:
Community Relations
- Increased news to families and community members with more “paper” publications
as well as electronic “good news”
Student Opportunities
- Expanded Montessori to grade 5
- Added grade level to Dual Language
- New classroom for challenging highly capable learners
- STEM Academy at Sky Valley Education Center
Strong Staff
‐ Training for teachers in moving each student forward no matter the child’s skill level
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‐ Online registration and tracking for professional development
‐ Teachers on special assignment to work individually with teachers
Resource Availability
‐ New 4‐year levy approved in February
‐ Special levy to improve technology
‐ Commissioned review of 100% of facilities
2014 “In Common” Listening Tour Schedule
Tuesday, August 5 5 p.m. Night Out Against Crime Booth
Wednesday, August 13 7:30 p.m. Tualco Grange – 25
Tuesday, August 19 5:45 p.m. MHS Football Booster mtg. Booth
Wednesday, August 20 Noon Rotary ‐ 7
7 p.m. Lions ‐ 20
Tuesday, August 26 5:30 pm Chain Lake Back to School social Booth
Wednesday, August 27 Noon Kiwanis ‐ 5
Thursday, August 28 4‐6 pm Fryelands Back to School Splash Booth
Tuesday, September 2 5‐7 pm Hidden River Back to School BBQ Booth
5:30 – 6:30 pm Salem Woods Back to School event Booth
Wednesday, September 3 2:30‐6:30 p.m. Park Place Back to School event Booth
4:30 p.m. Maltby Ice Cream Social Booth
5:30 p.m. Frank Wagner Back to School Night Booth
Thursday, September 4 noon Local Pastors ‐ 17
Tuesday, September 9 3:30 – 6:30 pm MPS Employee Benefits Fair Booth
Wednesday, September 10 10 .m. D.O. staff meeting – 30
Thursday, September 18 2:30 p.m. Park Place staff – 10
3:30 p.m. Frank Wagner staff ‐ 6
6‐9 p.m. MHS Curriculum Night Booth
Friday, September 19 6‐9 p.m. MHS Football game Booth
6
Tuesday, September 23 2:30 p.m. Hidden River staff ‐ 6
Wednesday, September 24 3:30 p.m. Maltby staff – 7
Thursday, September 25 3:30 p.m. Chain Lake staff ‐ 18
6 ‐8 p.m. Park Place Curriculum Night Booth
6:30 p.m. Hidden River Curriculum Night Booth
Tuesday, September 30 3:05 p.m. Leaders in Learning staff ‐ 7
Wednesday, October 1 3:30 p.m. Fryelands staff – 20
Thursday, October 2 11:30 a.m. Technology staff ‐ 5
2:30 p.m. MHS staff ‐ 4
6 p.m. Chain Lake Curriculum Night Booth
5:30 p.m. Frank Wagner Curriculum Night Booth
6 p.m. Fryelands Curriculum Night Booth
6:30 p.m. Maltby Curriculum Night Booth
6 p.m. Salem Woods Curriculum Night Booth
Saturday, October 4 8 a.m. Lake Tye Park Booth ‐ 12
Wednesday, October 8 1:15 p.m. Transportation – 17
2:15 p.m. Maintenance & Grounds ‐ 8
Thursday, October 9 3:30 p.m. Salem Woods staff ‐ 8
Tuesday, October 14 11:30 a.m. Chamber of Commerce – 65
7 p.m. Monroe City Council – 25
Thursday, October 16 9:30 a.m. Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council ‐ 11
Friday, October 17 11:50 a.m. Sky Valley Education Center staff – 10
6 p.m. MHS Homecoming Game Booth
Monday, October 20 7 p.m. Monroe Public Schools Foundation Board ‐ 7
Thursday, October 23 8:50 a.m. MHS Leadership Class ‐ 31
Tuesday, October 28 5:30 – 7:30 pm Hidden River Conferences Booth
Thursday, October 30 4‐7:30 p.m. Park Place Conferences Booth
Wednesday, November 5 6:30 p.m. PPM WatchDogs dinner ‐ 31
Wednesday, November 12 7 p.m. Bearcat Pride – 11
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6:30 p.m. Fryelands PTA – 15
Thursday, November 13 7 p.m. Park Place Middle PTA – 7
6:30 pm Salem Woods PTA ‐ 20
Friday, November 14 7 p.m. Maltby Elementary Bingo Night Booth
Tuesday, November 18 6:30 pm HRM WatchDogs Booth
Wednesday, November 19 6:30 p.m. Chain Lake PTA – 10
Thursday, November 20 8:30 a.m. Hidden River Chat W Principal – 4
6:30 p.m. Frank Wagner PTA – 15
Total events – 57
Presentations to 494 individuals
Hundreds more viewed proposal at booths
Monroe Public Schools!
Learning for Life
• 1 Month Phase"• September / October 2014"
• 12 Thoughtexchange Processes "• 10 schools"• 1 Spanish language"• 1 community"
2
Overview"
3
Steps"
• What are some concerns you have about our school this year?"
• What are the things you appreciate about our school this year?"
• What are some other things you would like to say about our school this year?"
4
Questions"
1,232 "Participants"2,438 "Thoughts contributed"42,810 "Stars assigned"
5"
Participation"
66% "Parent/Guardian"10% "Staff Member"9% Teacher"2% Administrator"2% "Other"1% "Community Member"0% "Student"""
6
Participation"
Analysis""
• Top 10 ideas from each school"• Schools equally weighted"
• Common thoughts grouped together"• Similar ideas are then Themed "
7
Discover"
8
Analysis "
9
Analysis "
10
Analysis "
11
Analysis "
12
Analysis "
13
Analysis "
Themed District-Wide Results""
http://thotex.com/sites/YCyLe8JpH9k"
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Report"
Results Web Site?
IWR?!
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Sharing"
Facilitator contact info!
Shonagh MacRae"Stakeholder Engagement Facilitator"
[email protected]""""""""""""""""
Questions / Comments
16
Questions"