A resolution requesting the appointment of a Community Education Renewal Task Force to study the changing role of Community Education in Nashville and Davidson County and determine how community education may best serve citizens' needs.

WHEREAS, publicly funded Community Education programs have been serving the citizens of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County since the early 1970's; and

WHEREAS, a previous Task Force was established by Resolution No. 76-320 of the Metropolitan Council in October 1976 to study the feasibility of implementing community education; and

WHEREAS, Community Education provides the citizens use of existing public schools for meetings to consider and plan for neighborhood needs; and

WHEREAS, Community Education further provides for the use of public school facilities for educational, social, recreational and other services for citizens of all ages; and

WHEREAS, fuller utilization of such existing public facilities reduces the cost of government, and provides for a richer civic life in neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, more than twenty-five years have passed since the implementation of the Report of the Community Education Task Force through the programs of the Metropolitan Community Education Alliance and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools began; and

WHEREAS, community demographics, needs, and resources have changed over time; and

WHEREAS, it is in the public interest that the community review and renew its programs to provide the most needed community education services to the citizens of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

SECTION 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting that a Community Education Renewal Task Force be established to review the current program of Community Education funded through the Metropolitan Community Education Alliance and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. This review is to determine and recommend how Community Education may best meet the needs of the changing population of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

The Council further requests that the Vice Mayor appoint three (3) representatives to serve on said Task Force; that the Mayor appoint three (3) representatives; that the Chairperson of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education appoint three (3) representatives; that the Chairperson of the Metropolitan Community Education Alliance appoint three (3) members; and that the Task Force, when assembled, appoint an additional three (3) persons at large. It is further the request of the Council that a cross section of the community be included, with representation by such key stakeholder groups as Community Education councils, neighborhood and civic organizations, business groups, parent and youth groups, faith based organizations, social services agencies and aging programs, urban design/planning, higher education, industry, and immigrant and refugee populations. Further, three coordinators of the Community Education program are requested to participate in the process as non-voting members of the Task Force.

SECTION 2. Upon appointment, the Task Force is charged to study and recommend changes for the Metropolitan Community Education Alliance program in such matters as (but not limited to) 1) the mission of Community Education, 2) identification of important stakeholders, 3) structure to maximize community involvement, 4) governance, conflict identification and resolution structures, 5) current school board and governmental policies affecting Community Education's success, 6) best practices and continuous improvement, 7) mutual responsibilities and accountabilities of Metropolitan Board of Public Education and the Metropolitan Government for the development of Community Education within the framework of the Metropolitan Community Education Alliance, 8) the role of elected citizen members of the Alliance in maintaining said accountability, 9) program staffing, supervision, training, and evaluation, 10) team building practices, and 11) effectiveness and efficiency, including use of current program management technology.

SECTION 3. The Task Force will review the structure for the delivery of Community Education services through the Metropolitan Community Education Alliance and the role of the Alliance in relationship to that of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education. The Task Force will make recommendations regarding this relationship and how effectiveness and efficiency could be improved in the overall provision of Community Education in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

SECTION 4. The Task Force will forward its recommendation to the Metropolitan County Council upon completion of its work.

SECTION 5. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: John Summers, Jim Forkum, Lynn Williams