By bringing their collective wisdom to bear on issues as diverse as detracking science classes to creating inclusive policies for extracurricular activities, they were able to avoid the creation of a school made up of isolated parts and separate, sometimes even contradictory, functions. Systems-focused planning process takes time. Unfortunately, planning is often given short shrift in educational circles. Just as teachers are only considered to be working when they are standing in front of a class of students, educators engaged in a complex and therefore lengthy planning process are often viewed as nonproductive by value-conscious taxpayers. But community-based facilities planning takes time.
Partnerships stretch limited resources.
In the process of scaling down the design of Emerald Ridge to garner voter approval, we had to scrap plans for an on-campus swimming pool. To avoid losing the benefits such a facility could provide, we began collaborating with a community group that had its own plans to build an aquatic center. At PHS, an interagency agreement with the Private Industry Council gave students and staff access to county job search software in the school's career center. In Chicago, the Henry Ford Academy shares facilities and resources with a museum. The Gaylord Community School in Gaylord, Michigan, houses senior activities, day care, performing arts programs, community health care clinics, higher education classes, and even weddings.