SAVE Commission's findings - La Follette School of Public Affairs ...

CHAPTER
THREE
GOAL #11
Community
Learning
Centers
A place for school
and community
Local government
financial expert
“Wisconsin school
buildings are at least ten
years behind other
states in terms of
repairs and modernization.”
isconsin’s approximately 2,250
underused and, in some cases,
undermaintained public school
buildings have great potential to be
focal points of community for citizens
of all ages. A number of
changes in how Wisconsin uses and
manages school buildings can save money and
naturally build structures, service and communities
around school.
Wisconsin school buildings are an $11
billion asset that, on average, are used 21 percent
of the time. In addition, the future cost of
compliance with building codes and safety laws
will greatly increase the cost of maintaining and
servicing that asset.
BUILDING OPTIONS
As part of a long term strategy to build
community around school, Wisconsin should
transform schools—now almost entirely dedicated
to formal education—into Community
Learning Centers. In Wisconsin, the Centers
will meet established building criteria, but be
designed and operated to reflect local conditions
and community needs, including K-12
education. It will be neutral, safe and accessible
from early morning until late at night, for
the activities the community wants.
The Centers will be places where a community
comes together, a joint effort across
public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Experiments
have taken place in Texas, New York
and Rhode Island in which community-based
models emphasize self-sufficiency, diversity,
prevention and public accountability.
THE CENTER:
£ Is not merely a school, although education
for children and adults can take
place, allowing foster grandparent and
volunteer programs to help teachers and
children in traditional K-12 programs,
early childhood, parent education,
literacy classes, personal enrichment
and college-credit courses.
£ Is not a medical facility, although
medical, dental and social service clinics
may be found there, convenient to
students and parents, who won’t have to
leave work for a child’s appointment.
£ Is not an office building, although small
businesses (as part of a school-to-work
transition, for example) and not-forprofits
may have space there.
£ Is not a day care site, although it may
include a place for child care and adult
day care to keep seniors involved and
out of nursing homes, also saving
money.
£ Is not a recreational facility, although
there may be a gym, weight room and
pool, available to all youth and adults
for physical education and lifetime
sports, as well as room for cultural
exhibits, crafts, music, theater and
meetings.
£ Is not a library, although there may be a
library branch on site, connected to the
information superhighway, as are the
classrooms, which could be used by
other instructors for night instruction.
34 CITIZEN • COMMUNITY • GOVERNMENT — WISCONSIN: THE 21 ST CENTURY