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More than 200 patrons, parents, teachers and administrators of Warsaw Schools gathered Wednesday at Lakeview Middle School to talk about how the schools can improve.
Organizers, who had hoped to fill all 700 seats in Lakeview's auditorium, were disappointed at the turnout, but told those present, "this means your opinion counts even more."
At least half of those attending were teachers, administrators or staff members in Warsaw Schools.
The theme of the evening was "what must Warsaw Community Schools do to make our students the best that they can be."
"We want to work on enhancing the positive points in our school corporation but also work on converting our weaknesses into strengths," Ron Yeiter, president of the Warsaw School Board, told the group.
Superintendent Dr. Dave McGuire encouraged attendees to voice their opinions and suggestions.
"To help our students achieve, we need your input," he said. "We need divergent thinking."
McGuire also said being satisfied with the status quo isn't good enough.
"We have a culture of 'pretty good' here in Warsaw," he said. "But we need a culture of excellence. ... Our students must compete with the top 5 percent in the state. Those kids will get the best spots in the best colleges" and the best jobs.
People attending the town hall meeting then were separated into small groups that met in classrooms around the school. Each group was headed by a facilitator and suggestions were recorded.
The groups first were asked to identify what WCS is doing right, and, while all the groups had different suggestions, some common themes emerged: enthusiastic and caring teachers, ethnic diversity and sensitivity, inclusion of special needs students, academic challenges and recognition of academic excellence.
Likewise, while ideas varied on how the schools could improve, many parents had similar concerns: class sizes too large, not enough parent involvement, too much competition between schools based on demographics, academic subjects not relevant or challenging, students' success after high school not tracked, needs of the Hispanic community not adequately addressed and not all Warsaw Community High School graduates are sufficiently prepared with communication and math skills.
A second meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 31, again at Lakeview. Suggestions generated from both town hall meetings will be taken to the school board, which will consider them when formulating its strategic plan.
