Minutes of the February Meeting of the Dean’s Parent Advisory Panel

Greenwood Laboratory School (GLS)

February 19, 2002, 8:30-9:30 AM

Participants: David Hough, Emily Carlisle, Debbie Yokum, Mary Byrne, Art Spivak, David Minert, Sarah Muegge, Nancy Goth, Dave Brown, Kathi Beasley, Myra Miller, MaryAnne H’Doubler, Kim Chaffin

Strategic Planning Meeting for GLS. Dr. Hough invited participants to encourage all GLS parents to attend the final strategic planning meeting scheduled for 7:30 PM, February 26, at Plaster Student Union. He emphasized that the strategic planning process was important because participation in the planning process is an opportunity to have input in the future of the school. The plan would be implemented regardless of who the director of GLS and the Dean of the College of Education are in the coming years.

Participants offered reasons as to why the Jan 28 strategic planning meeting was not better attended. They suggested that the last meeting date was close to when spring semester started. After a long semester break, some parents were not yet back at their regular level of school involvement. Some parents feel frustration that GLS is not more “in charge” of the process, and wonder why they’re being asked “What is a laboratory school?” They feel that the school should be telling them what a laboratory school is. They were unaware that Missouri State was unhappy with GLS. Others believe that the Missouri State administration has already determined a plan, and will do what it decides it wants to do, or must do.Dr. Hough responded that Dr. Keiser emphasizes planning, although serendipitous opportunities arise, such as the purchase of Ozarks TV. Decision makers cannot plan future activities for GLS or assess the progress of the program without a plan.

Participants suggested that a campaign to increase attendance at the final meeting may include a parent in each classroom parents calling other parents to encourage their participation.

Visits to Laboratory Schools Planned. Drs. Hough and Brown will visit three laboratory schools in Louisiana. They are located at Louisiana Tech, Grambling, and Macadoosh. Drs. Brown and Agnew (Chair of Educational Administration) will visit a laboratory school in Illinois.

Funding Issues. Several options for obtaining funds from different sources were discussed.

Charter School Concept. Could GLS get access to funds like the charter schools supported by Rolla? Dr. Hough explained that charter school money flows through DESE from the federal government. GLS could tap into those funds if it elects to become a charter school and will be obliged to follow federal guidelines.

Potential of Status as a State School. Could GLS get funds from DESE without abandoning its historical roots? Dr. Hough indicated that if the State viewed GLS as a State laboratory school, state money may come. However, over the years, the State has distanced itself from the school. DESE does not make a separate appropriation to Missouri State for GLS, but discussion of GLS at DESE meetings is frequent. A participant suggested that edication of some State funds to GLS could alleviate the burden on parents to bear rising costs of operating GLS. Some parents view the 15% tuition increase as the first of a series of increases over time. Addition of State funds could help alleviate that anxiety.

Tuition Increase. The Board of Governors of Missouri State did not discuss the GLS tuition at its February meeting. The Missouri State administration instructed Drs. Hough and Brown to assume that the tuition increase would be 15%, resulting in a $3,000 annual tuition. A participant offered that GLS tuition is considered as income to Missouri State, and is figured into the balancing of the Missouri State budget. Dr. Hough indicated that Dr. Keiser is currently out of the country and wants to have input into the recommendations to the Board in time for the next Board meeting. Kansas State University’s tuition increase of 20-25% was offered as a reference for tuition increases around the country.

Telephone Campaign to Solicit Donations. Missouri State student callers will receive a list of needs identified by faculty and parent organizations. Callers will solicit donations for the funding necessary to meet these needs. Participants suggested that the “needs” list was biased toward upper elementary and high school. A participant suggested that elementary teachers be canvassed for their input before the campaign begins.

Summer Program. The draft plan for the summer program at GLS has been approved. The program will be available June 10- Aug 2, for one-week or two-week sessions. Classes require a minimum of 10 students and a maximum of 16 students. Information on the web should be available at the end of February through the Center for Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE). Program information will be available to the general public by the end of March. Advertising the program will take the form of post card announcement, fliers, brochures, an Missouri State web page, and radio spots. An all day K-8, and “mornings only” high school program will be available. Students in the K-8 program will be divided into groupings (K-2, Little Bears; 3-5 Yo Bears; 6-7 Bear Tracks; 8 Bear Force, which emphasizes leadership skills). All area students qualify for the program. Prices will include all costs (no additional fees for materials, etc. will be required). GLS faculty has been given first option to teach in the program. Their deadline for proposals is March 8. Graduate students may be able to earn credit for teaching in the program, but they must apply for a position and be approved. Myra Miller will visit the summer program of a laboratory school in Chicago to gather more information and ideas. Suggestions for course topics are welcome. More information about the summer program can be obtained by calling the College of Continuing Education at 836-6355, or contacting Myra Miller at mem232t@missouristate.edu.

Request for Future Agenda Items. A participant made a request to talk about what is going on in Missouri in response to President Bush’s education plan. Dr. Hough responded in the affirmative and indicated that the laboratory school may be able to tie into federal money because most grants require participation from non-public as well as public schools. However, this qualification depends on how GLS is defined.

Respectfully submitted,

February 21, 2001

by Mary R. Byrne