Traverse City Area Public Schools’ Long Range Master Planning project will host the first of three community forums on Monday, November 6th at Traverse City West Senior High School Cafeteria from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to participate in the visioning session. The purpose of the public forum is to share information and stimulate discussion on the future of education in the Traverse City region.
TCAPS’ Long Range Master Planning initiative was officially launched in late August and will continue through May 2007. The planning framework includes a 100 member working Steering Committee comprised of a cross-section of the community. Dr. David Dean, Assistant Superintendent, who is heading up the project emphasized, “The entire master planning process depends on public involvement. We urge all interested citizens to attend the public forums and we’re asking our Steering Committee members to help us engage the greater community and gather input.”
“The process is moving along and the Steering Committee is delving into the issues while keeping the end in mind,” remarked Dean. “The high level of energy and enthusiasm they contribute to the process will certainly increase TCAPS’ ability to engage our entire community and develop recommendations that will address pressing district-wide program and facility issues,” noted Dean.
TCAPS Board of Education has charged the District’s administration to develop a Long Range Master Plan to address the following strategic questions:
How should TCAPS’ schools be configured to produce the best student performance? Are students best served by the current K-6, 7-9, 10-12 grade and school configurations or would something different be more effective, due to changing graduation requirements and other factors?
What long-term facility location(s) are best suited for TCAPS’ Montessori and Talented and Gifted magnet schools? With both programs currently housed at Central Grade School, there is little room for expansion.
Are there additional efficiencies to be gained by analyzing the effectiveness of buildings relative to enrollment, programs, and resources? How would changes impact student achievement? How should the District plan future programs and capacity relative to long-term enrollment trends and a growing array of educational choice options in the region?
What elementary school reconstruction projects should be undertaken in the coming years? Based on new findings, should the order and scope of elementary school bond reconstruction projects (approved by voters in 2004) be updated?
“These are tremendous strategic questions to tackle for a district the size of TCAPS,” emphasized Superintendent Jim Feil. “Together with our community, we will get down to business and we invite every interested citizen to participate in the upcoming public forums. Each community forum and steering committee meeting is critical in the coming months and will fuel the process to help forge a strong plan for the future,” remarked Feil.
Please contact Assistant Superintendent Dr. David Dean at 933-1759 for more information.