FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— Thursday, December 7, 2006

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT—
Matt Gibson, Superintendent
Elmbrook Schools
Office Phone: 262/781-3030, ext. 1123
    or—
Andy Smith, Community Relations & Marketing Director
Elmbrook Schools
Office Phone: 262/781-3030 ext. 1176

Over Six Hundred Attend Elmbrook Schools High School Focus Group Meetings
 
  (BROOKFIELD)  . . . Suggestions and input received from district residents at nearly fifty focus group meetings about possible high school renovations and additions at Elmbrook's Central and East campuses "is already having an impact on planning and is being compiled for review by the Elmbrook School Board starting at its next meeting on Tuesday, December 12th," said superintendent Matt Gibson.

"Those who took advantage of the many tours of both schools and those who attended focus groups are having their ideas considered and have helped the district focus on areas of support and areas of concern," he said, "while some who didn't tour or participate in a focus groups have stated that they intend to vote against just about any plan. They have missed an opportunity to be heard and to get their ideas worked into or out of the plans," Gibson explained.

Over six hundred people attended the community focus group meetings, though Gibson says that some people "did not turn in a response form so the verifiable number we're able to report is (602) attendees." Gibson says he considered that number to be a "strong turnout for an unprecedented community outreach effort, a turnout that is indicative of high community interest."

A total of (150) persons attended focus groups held on the west side of the district in the Brookfield Central attendance area, while (125) attended focus groups on the east side of the district in the Brookfield East attendance area. Another (327) either attended a
meeting at a location like the Brookfield Library, which could have attracted persons from either high school attendance area, or specific focus groups conducted for the Elmbrook Rotary (34 at the Venice Club), realtors (at two locations, totaling 48), for staff of each high school (9 at Central and 11 at East), and for student councils at each school (50 student leaders at Brookfield Central and 68 at Brookfield East.)

Interested individuals, families and property owners are urged, Gibson stressed, to attend the regular meeting of the school board on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 7pm, and the special work session on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 5:30pm.

Although other business will be transacted at the regular school board meetings in December (on the 12th at 7pm), and in January (on the 9th and the 23rd at 7pm), Gibson explained that, "by contrast the December work session (on the 19th at 5:30pm) will likely run several hours and is set-aside to focus solely on the refinement of the proposed renovations and additions, based on themes from the community focus group feedback and other data." 

Residents who presently favor or oppose the proposed renovation plans are also urged by Gibson to spend time on the district website, www.elmbrookschools.org, to learn about the district's facility and educational needs, and the proposed renovations and additions to address them.

It's likely, Gibson says, that once conceptual plans are refined and cost projections are updated, "community outreach and engagement activities will continue into the New Year to ensure that the plans are on track with the majority sentiment of the community."