The basic concept of community schools is that by forming relationships with a variety of partners, the use of public schools can be maximized. Through partnerships, a school can remain open for everything from traditional after-school programming to family literacy night and potluck dinners, creating an enriching community space. Read more in this week’s post.
Some time ago I saw an interview in which U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan described what I thought was an interesting take on the future of education – community schools. The basic concept is that public schools, by leveraging relationships with a variety of partners, become community hubs — staying open in the evenings, on weekends and during the summer for everything from traditional after-school programming to family literacy night and potluck dinners. Kids have a multitude of support services available onsite and the cost and liability for providing such services gets divided by all the entities using the facility.
Last month, I had an experience that made me think more about the use of public spaces like schools in rural communities. I traveled to Western Bristol Bay as part of an outreach trip sponsored by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. The goal was to meet community members and to listen and learn about needs, particularly as they pertained to Trust beneficiaries.
My group traveled to New Stuyahok and Koliganek, communities of about 550 and 200 people located 50 and 65 miles northeast of Dillingham. Other outreach participants traveled to the communities of Twin Hills, Togiak, Manokitak, Aleknagik, Clark Point and Ekwok.
As we visited with our hosts, and later when the outreach group reconvened to share what we learned, a prevailing theme was the desire for additional public gathering spaces. It made me wonder whether any aspects of the community school concept would work in rural Alaska.
New Stuyahok has an impressive amount of infrastructure for a small community, but by far the nicest building in town was the Chief Ivan Blunka School which opened in 2010. The main entrance leads into an atrium with large windows for natural light. This open space can be transformed into a lunchroom or community space as needed. The gym was so well cared for it sparkled, and the library and classrooms were comfortable and welcoming. Yet this beautiful facility, and all its resources, closes in the summer and during holidays. This seems like a missed opportunity, especially when we heard community members say they were trying to find funding to renovate the old school building for public activities.
With the cost of constructing and maintaining facilities so high in rural Alaska and the tenuous availability of federal funding for new construction projects, it makes sense to use existing infrastructure to its full potential.
Sharing facilities would undoubtedly create logistical challenges, but more than 5,000 public schools across 44 states have found ways to work through these questions. Maybe it’s a concept worthy of discussion in Alaska.
5 Comments
Posted by Lora Jorgensen
I do know Anchorage’s experience with the Community School model personally. I was the director for the two years it has spun off from the Anchorage school district (2004-2006). In this two year period Community Schools generated over $750,000 from $25 classes. That speaks volumes to the community needs and interests. A capacity building application was submitted showing the organization as a self-sustaining entity at the end of a three year period. However, Community Schools was asked to have one more year of administrative experience before capacity building funding would be made available. As a result, community schools had to close the doors.
I do think this model has great potential and many direct and in-direct benefits: Affordable learning opportunities for all ages, maximizing use of community facilities/resources, new positive educational experiences which may have formed a bridge for many adults to re-enter the educational pipeline, and finally engagement of community members sharing their knowledge and passions with one another. It doesn’t get too much better than that.
I do think a multi-sector funding approach would be possible here in AK.
If you want to know more, feel free to call me anytime 830-4180. I still have many of the electronic files including the capacity building application.
Posted by Gleo Huyck
We had a very extensive Community School program for many years throughout the state of Alaska. I was director of Community Ed in the Mat-Su Valley and president of the state association at one time This was a program that lasted for several years and was very successful. Once money got tight at the state level, they stopped funding the programs and the local school districts were to pick it up. Unfortunately, the local districts gradually reduced the budget for the programs and they eventually were taken out of the budgets and died.
This was a nation wide program at one time, starting in Flint Michigan and their model was used by most of the states.
It was very sad to see such a needed and used program go down the tube because of a lack of funding.
Posted by RASMUSON FOUNDATION
Hi Gleo. Thanks for taking the time share. Do you feel there were educational benefits to the community school model? And do you think it would be more affordable if the state shared the cost burden with appropriate nonprofit partners? For those interested, the Oakland School District recently went to a community school model. Attached is a link to its website. http://thrivingstudents.org/sites/default/files/Community-Schools-Thriving-Students-Strategic-Plan.pdf — JB
Posted by Barbara Baugh
As you know, we have had community schools in Anchorage, started as a volunteer effort. The first one was at Scenic Park in the ’70’s.
It was so successful it expanded to other schools, received funding for staff and it grew. Soon the staff got bigger and the program couldn’t not sustain the cost of the staff overhead, so it folded.
I have always believed in this basic concept. It makes all kind of sense.
If you want further information about the start up I can help. I was very involved with the first one, although I am sure you have all the paperwork from the Municipality.
Barbara Baugh
Posted by RASMUSON FOUNDATION
Hi Barbara. Thanks for commenting. Did the volunteer model you are referring to involve partnerships with other funders or nonprofits? From what I understand, one benefit to this model is that the costs for offering services get shared, just like the building. Jeff. B.