Sean Kershaw's Weblog
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September 1, 2006
Calling Dr. Carstarphen
Yesterday I helped facilitate a meeting called by Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman with the leaders of Saint Paul's higher education institutions.
The purpose of this conversation was to build the Mayor's relationship with these leaders (and their relationships with each other), to identify a set of priorities that will help close the achievement gap in Saint Paul, and to effectively integrate the Mayor's priorities like "Second Shift" into this process. (BTW: I was glad that our report on higher education, and on Saint Paul schools, came up by people other than me.)
It's my understanding that Superintendent Carstarphen said she'd be there. One of the Mayor's goals was also to introduce Dr. Carstarphen to these leaders and the opportunities they create for her and the City.
But Dr. Carstarphen was a no-show. The excuse was that she needed to prepare for a critical meeting that afternoon with African American leaders in the community later that afternoon -- ironically to talk about the achievement gap. I would agree that this meeting is timely and essential to our success as a community -- but am not convinced that it meant missing Mayor Coleman's meeting.
So...a meeting set up in part to talk about improving institutional coordination in closing the achievement gap was diminished because the institutions - or one institution - couldn't coordinate meetings to talk about the achievement gap. Fine -- my head hurts but I have to voice what I think everyone in the room was thinking: It was an enormous missed opportunity for the Superintendent.
I'm troubled by either the lack of organizational ability that would have allowed her to do both, or her political skills in thinking that it was a good meeting to effectively blow-off.
I hope I'm wrong on both accounts.
The Mayor was fantastic, and the other higher ed leaders were extremely insightful and practical. As Kent Pekel pointed out, the "good news" is that we aren't closing this gap in post-secondary success because we really aren't trying to close the gap yet. (More on this another time.)
Posted by Sean Kershaw at September 1, 2006 7:18 AM
Comments
Let's see if I have this straight. You helped facilitate a meeting that was in part about a topic of interest to the St. Paul schools, but it's unclear whether you confirmed Carstarphen was attending. And it's her organization's fault for giving priority to her own meeting?
If you're troubled by something you don't really know for sure, it would be a good idea to be certain about the facts before blogging about it. That is, if you want her to show at the next meeting you facilitate.
Posted by: Charlieq | September 2, 2006 4:49 PM
Charlie: I guess I'm learning as I go here. If I'm going to put up a post like that I should be more clear.
I'll assume for now that your point was primarily to encourage me to be less sloppy -- and more factual. Point taken.
Facts: Mayor Coleman's office organized the entire meeting and did all of the set up and logistical work. His staff was extremely organized and thoughful. It is my understanding, not actually having taken the call, that Dr. Carstarphen DID confirm that she'd be there.
It is also clear that Mayor Coleman wanted to use this meeting to introduce Dr. Carstarphen to the community. His agenda was well-timed, given that she's just started. His agenda was also perfect as Mayor of all the students in the City.
My role was just to facilitate part of the meeting.
Also, Dr. Carstarphen did send her Ombudsman, who participated actively and constructively on the part of the District and Superintendent. But it's still not the same thing.
What's my point? It isn't to be cute or snotty with one of the most important leaders in the community -- so I have to be more careful.
My point is that this was a missed opportunity. Period.
Based on the study we just completed on St. Paul schools, the vision/mission of the district MUST BE for ALL students to achieve success in post-secondary education. Period. Not just graduate from high school. Not just enroll in higher ed. But actually succeed in post-secondary attainment.
So for the Superintendent to miss a meeting with almost every higher education president in the East Metro is a missed opportunity. She is going to have a very short honeymoon, and first impressions matter. (Having talked to at least one of my Boardmembers who has met with her -- she's extremely impressive on first impressions too.)
The meeting went really well. Leaders were excited to work together on coordinating resources and putting forth a common vision and agenda. Again, it was a missed opportunity.
We have a Mayor who has entered office with education as a top priority, and with a better intuitive understanding of any new Mayor in recent history. Again, another opportunity for Saint Paul.
I'm thrilled that the excuse was as important as the meeting she had set up herself. Closing the achievement gap with African American students is required to achieve the mission I mentioned.
I just don't think she had to miss the meeting organized by Mayor Coleman. Perhaps it's naive of me -- it's not meant to be dismissive or flip.
Charlie: having heard this, I'd love to know if you had a larger point. Thanks - Sean
Posted by: Sean | September 5, 2006 7:59 AM
I responded to your next post before reading this. You did get my point(s) and responded appropriately. Yes, the meeting with Coleman was important, but it was his meeting. I imagine the people she met with are feeling pretty valued about now.
Posted by: Charlieq | September 6, 2006 11:46 PM