The St. Paul School Board on Tuesday approved a multi-year project to address issues of equity and engagement through a partnership with Mitchell Hamline’s Dispute Resolution Institute (DRI) and the Minnesota State Office for Collaboration and Dispute Resolution (OCDR).
For the first phase of the project, mediation experts at DRI and OCDR will help St. Paul Public Schools, the St. Paul Federation of Teachers, as well as parents, students, and community groups in the search for a new superintendent. In collaboration with a search firm, the project will engage the public in the search process and lay the foundation for better communication throughout the district. The goal is to create an environment where administrators, school board members, teachers, parents, students, and the public feel their opinions are heard, valued, and respected.
The second phase of the project would delve into broader equity and community engagement issues facing the school district and develop a shared vision as the district, and its new superintendent, move forward.
The project, which will be provided to the district for free, is funded in part by an American Arbitration Association Foundation grant that seeks to engage communities and foster relationships for constructive change. It was jointly awarded to DRI and OCDR.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to work with SPPS in this multi-phased project, funded in part by the American Arbitration Association Foundation,” said Professor Sharon Press, Director of DRI. “It is particularly gratifying that everyone we have spoken to about our proposal has been enthusiastic about their participation. This bodes well for the level of engagement we hope to achieve.”