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What's in the Future for Our Small Schools and Rural Communities?

As demands on rural public schools and small towns escalate, what are the strategies that will help us obtain both the education and community vitality that we need? The theme of the 5th Annual Symposium on Small Towns is "Leveraging Resources to Improve Schools and Communities" and will be held June 5 - 6, 2007 at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Participants traveling to west central Minnesota for this event will have opportunities to explore the dynamic operating environments and interrelationships between schools and communities, along with ways to leverage resources that can help improve both.

The Center for Small Towns at the University of Minnesota, Morris is partnering with Minnesota Campus Compact, Minnesota Public Radio, and the University of Minnesota's Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships to plan and present this year's two-day event.

The Symposium is dedicated to creating awareness of small town issues and celebrating rural living. Activities this year are designed for participants to consider the way we learn; the changing roles and structure of our learning institutions (encompassing p-12, two-year and four-year higher education, along with community and continuing education); and how schools can fulfill their academic mission in a way that's beneficial to communities. At the same time, communities represent sometimes overlooked resources for schools.

As a powerful resource, effective involvement requires knowledge as well as time, courage, organization, persistence and patience. What a person or organization does not have of these can be developed. The Symposium is the place to hear a panel of key legislators, to see School-Community Partnership showcases on display, and engage in lively roundtable conversations that acknowledge the challenges, appreciate what is working and what is changing, and discuss meaningful ways of building healthy and vital partnerships between schools and communities. "This very interactive format for participants reflects the importance and value of how we can learn from one another through the sharing of ideas," notes David Fluegel of the Center for Small Towns.

Symposium Highlights

• Using our Knowledge and Experiences. Roundtable discussions are designed for a conversational approach, where participants sit around a table sharing experiences, identifying trends and issues, or noting ideas that will benefit both the schools and communities. Some of the conversation topics include: How to find adequate funding for school operations, benefits of supporting local economic endeavors, and the role of community education.
• What is the Role of Public Policy? Learn more about the trends impacting the legislature, legislative action, and issues that will affect small towns, rural areas, and our schools. Legislative leaders will share and debate future thinking and positions on the legislative process and school and community issues.
• School and Community Project Showcases. Individuals, community groups, and schools are invited to bring collaborative projects that focus on school and community partnerships.
• Celebrate Rural Life. An evening reception of local food and wine for participants with the hum of music will provide ambiance for networking. There will also be an evening concert which will be open to the participants of the Symposium and the general public.

The Symposium is open to people who care about rural schools and communities, parents, students, and educators along with concerned citizens, practitioners and policy-makers. The event is designed to give participants the time and space to explore multiple issues in building capacity for both schools and communities. Fees are kept at a minimum to encourage participation. MPR Members receive a 10% discount.

For immediate release, June 5, 2007