After a strategic planning process lasting several months, the Minneapolis School Board will finally hear the recommendations from its consultant, McKinsey & Co., at a special discussion meeting that will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 8:30 pm in the assembly room at the district’s headquarters at 807 Broadway Ave. NE.

The strategic planning process began in May 2007 in an effort to address the serious problems facing the district, including the loss of students, a persistent and growing achievement gap and significant financial shortfalls. McKinsey offered its services to the district on a pro bono basis, and it has spent the past several months conducting an exhaustive series of focus groups, interviews, and surveys to try to reach as many stakeholders as possible and learn about their hopes and concerns for the district.

McKinsey has also studied the district’s facts and figures, examining its financial, student achievement and student enrollment data and projections. It has also examined reform initiatives and best practices adopted by other urban school districts in the country.

After evaluating all of this information, McKinsey will present a summary of its findings at the Nov. 6 meeting, along with recommendations. The board, in turn, will determine how to communicate the findings and recommendations to stakeholders, how to receive community feedback and what additional information it needs before voting on the recommendations. The time period from 8 to 8:30 will be reserved for members of the public to make statements before the board.

For more background information on the strategic planning process, see the article on that topic from our September issue. For a recent story on high school reform, one aspect of the strategic planning effort, go here.

last revised: November 3, 2007

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