Communications Strategies | Community Engagement for MPS Program and Operations Planning Scenarios

Working Plan 1.30.09

Objectives:
- Simply and clearly present the scenarios, the timeline and the decision-making process for changes in
programs and operations.
- Allow board members to hear voices of parents and community members especially in different areas of
the community where they may not usually spend as much time
- Allow parents and community members to hear voices of people whose opinions/views differ
- Allow parents and community members to understand and experience the challenges these decisions
present
Framework:
- We’ll review different potential changes to our school choice system. We have worked hard to develop
sample approaches to making these changes, based on our goals for student achievement and the best
use of our human and financial resources. We will ask you to consider the pros and cons of different
scenarios for these changes. How can MPS provide good choices and save money? We’d like to know
what you think.
- Minneapolis Public Schools are considering citywide changes in magnet/community school options and
busing that will affect families in the months and years ahead. Before decisions are made, school
leaders invite you to learn more and to share your thoughts with them.
Logistics
Venues Format Handouts
Presentation to principals (1) Educational introduction (simple) Background, context, goals
All-staff presentations (2) Illustrate goals Scenarios
- Board invited to attend Explain scenarios Timeline, decision-making process
Citywide listening sessions (3) Discussion groups – pros and cons
- Request board members to Debrief
attend specific sessions to
“mix it up”

Proposed Budget
Type Item Cost Notes
Rental St. Maron's $350.00 Get PO number to Mary
Rental Sullivan School engineer overtime charge?
Rental North Commons Rec Center $650.00 total rental spaces = $1,000
Rental Staff session - a.m. engineer overtime charge?
Rental Staff session - p.m. engineer overtime charge?
Promotion Radio and print ads $15,000.00 Radio Rey, KMOJ, KFAI, B96, SW Journal, NorthNews,
South Side Pride, Insight News
Rental Space AV/tech needs $1,000.00
Hospitality Light refreshments $2,500.00 Community: coffee/punch, cookies; Staff: coffee/punch,
muffins (a.m.) or cookies (p.m.)
Time Childcare $500.00
TOTAL $20,000.00
1
 Timeline
Assignments highlighted in grey have been completed.
Audience How/What When Responsible
Secure meeting spaces By Jan 29 Communications
- English, Somali, and Spanish:
Sullivan (secured)
- English and Hmong: St. Maron’s
(secured)
- North: North Commons Rec Center
(secured)
- Staff: South (secured) and Cityview
(secured)
Preparation

Schedule and train bilingual staff By week of Feb Communications

- Hmong 4
- Somali
- Spanish
Prepare presentation to align with goals of By Feb 9 Jill Stever-Zeitlin,
sessions Bernadeia Johnson,
- J. Stever-Zeitlin to lead training of Jackie Turner,
key presenters and communicators Communications,
David Dudycha, Eric
Molho, other
facilitators
Arrange catering, equipment, childcare, etc. By Feb 6 Communications
All audiences Draft language for framing Jan 27 C. Reese
Board, meeting Announce date and time at board meeting Jan 27 Tom Madden
observers
Event attendees Community Ed summit Jan 30 Communications,
- Provide fliers for Jan 31 event Joe Alfano
Publicize Event

Event attendees AchieveMpls college fair Jan 30 Communications, J.

- Provide fliers for Jan 31 event Turner

All families Provide information through Area Councils Jan 30 Communications,

- Text for flier, e-mail, etc. Family Liaisons

Voice messenger telephone message (30 Feb 9 Communications,

sec) providing parents with information Principals
Community Ed Communicate notice to all partners Jan 30 Jack Tamble
audiences
Web visitors Post notice online Jan 30 Communications

2
 City residents Press campaign: Begin Feb 2 Communications
- Media release
- Media outreach
Clear Channel Community Calendar Jan 30 Communications
Radio ads: KMOJ, Radio Rey, KBEM, KFAI To air Feb 4-11 Communications
Newspaper ads: Southwest Journal, South To print Feb 1 Communications
Side Pride (2), NorthNews, Insight News
Channel 15 announcement slate Jan 30 Communications
Community Calendars - TV Feb 2 Communications
Principals Tips and tools e-mail Feb 3 (a.m.) Stan Alleyne
Materials distributed in principals’ meeting Feb 9 Communications,
packet Maria Vincent
All staff E-mail message framing discussion; inviting Feb 3 (p.m.); Communications
input; and giving meeting dates, times and reminder the
locations day before
Board Planning update in Friday letter Jan 30 Susan Eilertsen
Cabinet Planning update in Friday letter Jan 30 S. Eilertsen
ALT Planning update (if desired) via e-mail Feb 3 B. Johnson
DPAC Presentation of listening session materials Feb 9 J. Stever-Zeitlin
Principals Presentation of listening session materials Feb 11 (a.m.) S. Alleyne
All staff Presentation of listening session materials Feb 11 (p.m.), B. Johnson, J.
- Provide handouts (3) Feb 12 (a.m.) Stever-Zeitlin, Lynn
Nordgren
- Feb. 11, 3.30-5 p.m., South (J.
Engagement

Stever-Zeitlin)
- Feb. 12, 7.15-8.45 a.m., Cityview (B.
Johnson)
Community Board listening sessions Feb 12, 6.30-8 J. Stever-Zeitlin, B.
- Provide handouts (3) p.m. Johnson, J. Turner,
D. Loewenson
- Sullivan: J. Stever-Zeitlin, S.
Eilertsen, Marianne Norris
- St. Maron’s: J. Turner, E. Lowther,
Brenda Cassellius
- North Commons: B. Johnson, D.
Loewenson, S. Alleyne, Willie Fort
Web visitors Post handouts on website Feb 13 Communications

3
 Board Presentation on POP & Special Ed. Feb 24 J. Stever-Zeitlin
Study sessions Feb 25-27 D. Loewenson
Work session with scenarios and Mar 3 J. Stever-Zeitlin
recommendations
Present recommendations Mar 24 J. Stever-Zeitlin
Vote Apr 14 T. Madden
Decision

Principals Communicate results of vote via e-mail Apr 14 S. Alleyne

All staff Communicate results of vote via e-mail Apr 14 Communications
Key communicators Superintendent’s Spotlight Apr 15 Communications
Community Ed Communicate notice to all partners Apr 15 J. Tamble
audiences
All families, web Communicate results of vote: Apr 15 Communications
visitors, city - Media release
residents
- Website story
- Channel 15 slate
All families Communicate with families about options May-Fall 2009 [separate
Implementation

for 2010-2011 school year communications

Internal and Plan for implementation May 2009 - plan]
external audiences Sep 2010
Implement Sep 2010