Here's a good idea!

ATTENTION MARSHFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT!

Here's a good example of an alternative to referendum after referendum, after referendum.

Did you see this article in the Marshfield News Herald, Monday March 3, under the headline "School districts to merge ideas"? (The full text of the article is copied below, in case you missed it).

The ideas of collaboration and consolidation were brought up by an audience member at one of the school district's presentation on the referendum. Mr. King said it was something that some area school districts have looked into, but admitted that it was a difficult road to travel.

When it was brought up by the NO Committee, several yes'ers jumped on us and said it was a bad idea.

Yet here we have an example of three area school districts who are at least willing to meet together and talk about it. I really like the quote from one of the school board members: "I think there are lots of things I, or other board members, haven't thought of that will be brought up."

Other noteworthy quotes include: "It shows our school board and other public organizations try to work in the most transparent way possible," and "I would anticipate some discussion or public inquiry, in terms of what the pros and cons are, of not just collaboration and cooperation, but perhaps consolidation of the total schools or parts of schools," and "it will be a very worthwhile discussion," and "the whole idea of the caucus is to get that breath of fresh air."

So what can the Marshfield school district learn from this?

If not "consolidation" (total schools or parts of schools), what about COLLABORATION and COOPERATION with other school districts? What are the possibilities? Is our school board even willing to hold a similar "caucus" with other schools in our immediate area? Is it possible new ideas could be brought up that our school board and administrators haven't though of on their own?

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HERE'S THE FULL ARTICLE:

School districts to merge ideas
By Adam Wise
For the Marshfield News-Herald

PORT EDWARDS -- The first major step of three local school districts' plans to study opportunities for collaboration will take place today.

The school boards of the Wisconsin Rapids, Port Edwards and Nekoosa school districts will meet with members of the public to discuss ways to combine services to save the districts money.

Irma Tyler-Wood of Indianapolis-based Ki Thoughtbridge will facilitate discussion.

"I'm excited about it, (and) we've collaborated on several different levels over the past several years," said Sheldon Ferkey of the Port Edwards School Board. "This provides a formal process for that."

Joint efforts taking place between some of the districts include athletic clubs and 4-year-old kindergarten.

"I know most of the board members from Nekoosa and (Wisconsin) Rapids, but it's nice to have a sit-down and get to know everybody," Ferkey said.

Sandy Hett, president of the Wisconsin Rapids School Board, met with the other presidents Feb. 1 to establish communication and talk about the concept of the meeting. She's looking forward to the discussion expected to take place.

"I think there are lots of things I, or other board members, haven't thought of that will be brought up," she said. "I have no idea how it's going to turn out."

At about 8:45 p.m., the three boards will break off with their constituents into small groups to develop ideas. Ferkey said he hopes for a large public turnout for the discussions to truly be fruitful.

"It shows our school board and other public organizations try to work in the most transparent way possible," Ferkey said of the community involvement. "I would anticipate some discussion or public inquiry, in terms of what the pros and cons are, of not just collaboration and cooperation, but perhaps consolidation of the total schools or parts of schools.

"The whole idea of the caucus is to get that breath of fresh air."

While he's unsure of the final product and doesn't think decisions will be made, Ferkey expects the meeting to be the first of several among the governing bodies.

"It will be a very worthwhile discussion," he said.