Media coverage focus of public schools' New Expectations group

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Feb. 28, 2003
Members of the Meridian Public Schools' work group on New Expectations focused Thursday night on communication  what the school district should expect from the media and what the media should expect from the school district.
Factual reporting was cited by member Angela Hicks as the most important aspect of the media's coverage of school issues.
The group agreed there should be more coverage of exceptional students and not only those who get into trouble. Group member Walter Patton said he would like to see more coverage of students who achieve despite obstacles.
A separate What Works work group, appointed by School Board President Fred Wile, is charged with determining which programs are successful in the Meridian public schools. Both are expected to report to the school board in March.
The board is then expected to launch a full-scale search for a new superintendent to replace Dr. Janet McLin, who is retiring.
Nine of the 11 New Expectations work group members were present at Thursday night's session.
During discussions, members emphasized the school district's responsibility to let the media know what is going on in Meridian's schools.
Group members said they believe letting the media in on what's happening at the schools will lead to a better understanding of what the school district is trying to accomplish.