Chamber Advocate 8/13/21
City Redistricting Commission meets
The City Redistricting Commission met this week to discuss updating the city council districts. Jeff Schmitt, Planning and Development Services, informed the commission that the census information will be released soon. He also noted that the Census Bureau recently announced that “legacy format” data will be released to the states on or near August 16, 2021. Schmitt reviewed in detail the districting criteria as set forth in the City Charter. Schmitt then presented three “options” based upon population estimates as a way to help the Commission envision the process and considerations for plan development once census figures are available.
School District set priorities to guide work
Sioux Falls School District leaders have spent the first half of 2021 working on updating district priorities. District representatives met with all stakeholders from January 2021 to May 2021. Staff members, students, parents/guardians and community members joined small group discussions in-person and via Zoom to discuss opportunities for improvement. More than 900 comments and discussions were pared down to develop the plan that will guide the district’s work in the near future. Priority areas are:
- Academic Success
- Well-Being
- Community Engagement
- Staff Excellence
- Effective Use of Resources
Each priority area has measurable goals, growth targets and expectations to move students and staff members forward. Professional development for staff, stronger partnerships with the community, care and concern for families and responsible use of taxpayer dollars are part of the plan. Initiatives will be regularly reported during school board meetings with no sunset on the work. Additional items will be moved into the plan as others become established, evaluated, and cemented in school district culture.
To read the full plan, click here.