Work group: Schools are a business

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
March 7, 2003
Members of the New Expectations work group said Thursday they wanted to know why schools can't be treated more like businesses.
The group decided that Meridian's new school superintendent should be sensitive to the needs of the community and the business world as well as the schools.
The New Expectations group, which is made up of business people, is working to determine what the city's public schools and community should expect from each other.
A separate group, called What Works, is charged with determining which programs in the city school system are successful.
Both groups are expected to report to Fred Wile, school board president, this month. The work groups will help the board prepare its search for a new school superintendent.
Current Superintendent Janet McLin will retire in June.
Nine of the eleven New Expectations group members attended the Thursday meeting. The group also expressed concern about the deterioration of many school buildings.
Group member Anthony O'Neal believes the buildings should be conducive to learning. Member Elaine Maust said that overcrowding is a big issue.
Ed Lynch, co-chairman of the group, agreed: "At Oakland Heights closets are being used as classrooms."
Angela Payne said she believes people from the city's housing projects should be included in the search for a new superintendent.