Project 1: The “county/city partnership that funds the department of community schools” project

Elevator pitch: We see community schools as a partnership between schools, city government, county government and higher education. When we scan the website for city hall, we should be able to see right next to the Departments of Police, Fire and Parks, the Department of Community Schools — “a partnership between schools and local government.” Why not? Now we know that in some cities like NYC, it is the mayor that controls the schools — including community schools. In other localities it might be the county or the school district. Our bottom line? We want this model institutionalized.

It’s a vital resource we need in order to ensure the safety and success of our students, who are future workers and taxpayers. We can live without well-groomed parks, but lacking vital resources for student health and success is not an option. (And the truth is, we can have both parks and community schools.)

Our partners: mayors, city councilors, school boards, county commissioners and advocates for student health, higher education leadership in programs of education, social work, behavioral health, health care and socially-engaged business leaders.