Port Edwards' Int. Supt. is also working hard for the future

Port Edwards looks for input about school district's future
By Adam Wise
Daily Tribune Staff October 19, 2007
PORT EDWARDS -- About a year after hosting focus group meetings, the
Port Edwards School District is seeking the public's opinions about
its future once again.

On Monday, members of the School Board and administrators will host
the district's annual meeting and board workshop. While the typical
business such as setting the tax levy and mill rate will be on the
agenda, interim Superintendent Dean Ryerson hopes plenty more is
accomplished.

"Once that's been done, I want to do some discussing with the group,"
Ryerson said. "Present some information on what the future looks like
for the district."

Joe Clark, president of the School Board, said he's anxious to get the
public involved in the interactive meeting.

"I'm not sure what to expect," Clark said. "I hope people will come
out to give us a clear idea of where they see Port Edwards going."

Ryerson said if enough people attend, the gathering will break into
smaller groups to brainstorm about issues including the facility
operational and program needs of the next five years and the
district's financial situation as it relates to its declining
enrollment.

The district's administrative structure also will be on the slate.
This year, the district began its transition from three administrators
(two building principals and a superintendent) to two (a K-12
principal and a superintendent).

There are a few options district leaders can eventually choose from,
but as for how the district has handled the transition, Ryerson said
he hasn't received many phone calls about it.

"I think what people care about is, it's business as usual with their
students, and life goes on in the schoolhouse," he said. "Good news is
we haven't heard much about that, and I think when things are going
OK, you don't hear a lot."