Group lands evaluation pact

This marks the first such contract for the group.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Mahoning Valley education group will evaluate how the city school district's community information-gathering process is working.
The $15,900 contract with the Mahoning Valley Vision for Education is being paid for with money from a Knowledge Works grant, said Robert L. Faulkner Sr., a Warren school board member who also serves on MVVE. The work runs through April.
MVVE, a group of community leaders, educators and business people, formed in December 2001 out of a Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber education summit.
Joyce Brooks, the group's coordinator, said it's the first time the group has been asked to perform such an evaluation although different members have been on teams that have conducted evaluations. MVVE's steering committee met Monday.
What's covered
Items covered include how the process, called engagement sessions, address staff development, new school design and programs, curriculum, school environment and pupils' extracurricular activities.
MVVE members will point out strengths as well as make suggestions for where improvements could be made.
"And because we're right here, we'll be available to lend support even after the evaluation is done," Brooks said
The district, and specifically Warren G. Harding High School, has been conducting community engagements, asking the public what they would like to see from their school district, for several years.
A strategic planning committee formed about five years ago continues to meet regularly.
When MVVE formed, group members wanted to counter the loss of young people who leave the area after obtaining their degrees and to encourage more people to pursue college degrees.
To develop its vision statement, the group distributed 300 surveys to groups and individuals and conducted focus groups of about 600 participants from a cross section of both Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
Those who responded identified adequate funding for education, parental involvement, quality education for every school district, business/education partnerships and relevant curriculum as top priorities.
denise_dick@vindy.com