Strategic Plan Update

The Parma City School District's Facilities Committee, which is a subcommittee of the district wide Strategic Planning Committee, was charged with the task of gathering and analyzing data on the current state of our facilities and how they meet the current and future needs of our students.  The committee was given the task of reporting their findings to the Board of Education in January of 2011.  

Their findings will include a list of potential scenarios that will highlight the pros and cons that would occur as a result of closing different buildings.  The committee will consider many factors such as logistics, building and educational compliance issues, building upkeep, educational and environmental factors, budget restrictions, transportation and current as well as projected enrollment.

New superintendent Dr. Jeff Graham said that without knowing yet what buildings could be affected, if any, the public should not be surprised if the district continues to downsize.  Three elementary schools have closed in the past two years and there is a need to continue to evaluate building usage.  

“In order to be fiscally responsible and educationally sound, we need to continue to look at how we conduct business through unbiased lenses.  If the scenarios provided by the Facilities Committee offer options that allow us to provide a quality education to our students while spending less money, then we have the responsibility to the community to consider those options. ”   

Graham emphasized, “Far too often, when people struggle with a problem, they start with a solution in mind.  I can assure you that is not the case here.  The committee’s work is in its early stages, no decisions have been made, and they are not attempting to justify a predetermined solution.  We’re in the information-gathering stage at this time. Although I cannot promise a specific outcome, I can assure you there will be honor in the process.”

Beginning in October 2009, the district used grant funding to conduct a comprehensive review of all phases of the district’s operation.  Committees whose members included local residents, business leaders, school administrators, teachers, support staff and students, were formed to study seven separate areas:

Academics
Business Services
Communications
Facilities
Finances
Safety and Security
Youth Engagement

Dr. Graham and the Board of Education will be reviewing the initial work done by each committee and reacting to the suggestions.  Dr. Graham said, “The decision to close a school can be heart-wrenching, but a decision not to close a school when there is declining enrollment and economic necessity, would be irresponsible not only to the tax payers, but also for our students.  While the immediate effects of closing a school may certainly be painful, the long-term effects can be beneficial to everyone as it frees up resources for academics that otherwise would be spent on facilities, utilities and staffing that may not be needed.  It is the district’s responsibility to make sure we look at this issue from all sides and involve the community as much as possible.”