Otis Rolley

More than 50 residents, most of them parents along with community leaders, plus another 12 or so facilitators, today are waiting for results from a series of community forums in various Lee County Schools last week.

Otis Rolley, senior manager of UPD Consulting of Baltimore, and other members with him, were hired by the Lee County school district to get the feelings and priorities of those in the different school zones about how they feel about their schools – any issues – the pros and cons and any suggestions to make schools better.

It’s something Dr. Nancy Graham, superintendent of Lee County Schools, and the Lee County School Board, want to see as they begin talks about a strategic plan for local schools by the end of summer.

Rolley told the group at Veterans Park for the Arts School in Lehigh Acres last Thursday that groups sitting at different tables were being asked to address any and all issues on their minds about their schools.

He began by asking those attending, one of the larger groups in the county, to become involved and be responsible for airing their views during the forum rather than carrying those disagreements that could come about at the table groups outside the planning meeting.

MEL TOADVINE Parents and community leaders gather around tables for a community forum to talk about school issues of interest.

“We will operate in a collegial and friendly atmosphere,” he told the group.

Rolley said they had visited several schools in Lee County last week and the average turnout of parents and community leaders was around 30, so the 50 or so residents of Lehigh was one of the larger groups. The session lasted for a couple of hours and refreshments were served to a group who hadn’t been home for supper.

He said his consulting group would be guided by the Lee County vision mission statement which focuses on creating a world class school system and ensuring that each student achieves his or her highest personal potential.

Several tables were filled with parents and others while each table had a facilitator and the suggestions and ideas were being recorded for the UPD group.

Nine different community forums were held throughout the week.

MEL TOADVINE Otis Rolley, a senior manager with UPD Consulting of Baltimore, discusses plans for a community forum held June 12 at Veterans Park for the Arts school in Lehigh.

Veterans Park for the Arts Principal Ken Savage was on hand but did not take part in any of the discussions. The plan was only for stakeholders of the school system. Savage said he thought the community forums idea was a good one and glad to have his school host the forum in Lehigh.

“We’re here to see what is working in our schools and what is not working,” said Rolley from UPD Consulting.

The forums worked well, Rolley said. “We moved from different areas throughout the program.”

Results of the forums will be made as soon as the Baltimore firm can gather the information. Rolley said they will be published for the district online.

Veterans Park for the Arts, which is located adjacent to Veterans Park on Homestead Rd., has a population of 1,508 students this past school year. Principal Savage said school opens again on August. 18.

One of the visitors, Jade Varela, said she thought the community forums were important and suggested they be held more frequently.

“I would like to see more people come to them though” she said.

“I would say that I feel good about being here as a parent,” said Christina Holman, another participant.

Someone in the group asked why an outside group was conducting the sessions. There is not a full-time person within the district dedicated to holding these types of forums. The consulting firm has identified several priorities for the district which includes transportation, school choice, technology and safety.

At the end of the community forum, Holley gave those attending an opportunity to identify what they considered to be their top priorities for the school district.