Community Feedback Summary
DCPS Consolidation and Reorganization Plan
In November 2012, DCPS released our school consolidation and reorganization proposal to the public to gain insights; collect ideas; and understand concerns from parents, community members, and partners. We shared our data, our information, and our assumptions. And we listened closely.
For six weeks following the release of the proposal, the DCPS Office of Family and Public Engagement managed a listening tour to hear feedback. The Chancellor and nearly 100 citizens testified at two City Council hearings. We organized four ward-based public meetings that attracted nearly 800 participants. We held office hours with Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) and citizens. We hosted group meetings, conference calls, webinars and individual consultations with countless parents, partners, and representative stakeholders.
DCPS made considerable efforts to ensure that information about the proposal was readily accessible to community members through traditional and social media platforms. To reach stakeholders who could not otherwise attend a public meeting, we launched an online forum, engageDCPS.org, which offered a central repository of information as well as a means of virtual engagement. Individuals posted their views and shared their ideas, suggestions, and proposals for everyone to review and weigh in on.
In turn, students, parents and other family members, neighbors, and community leaders worked together to bring forward proposals to improve and retain our schools. Schools and communities spent many hours in meetings and discussions about how to improve the DCPS consolidation and reorganization proposal and improve our schools. They advanced clear and practical ideas. We incorporated much of the advice into the final plan. Going forward as we discuss boundaries, feeder patterns, and enrollment policies, DCPS is committed to continue working with schools and communities on proposals for new programs, partnerships, and growth.
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