6) PARTNER WITH THE CITY!

The Lancaster Independent School District and City of Lancaster have common interests in developing neighborhoods, streets, sidewalks and parks.

However, the shared goals and objectives have not resulted in shared committees to plan or encourage such development. Each is operating independently, or at best in private, undocumented, meetings between the city manager and school superintendent. Instead, the board president and the council's mayor should appoint formal committees who will jointly study community issues. The committees will present recommendations to both governing bodies. In public. If approved these strategic plans and policies then become a shared background as particular issues arise, and are perhaps negotiated, in the course of normal business.

Sidewalks? How will they support children walking to and from school? Drainage? Can a neighborhood and school share a detention feature? Utilities? Do the city codes on underground lines make sense for a school site?

Cooperation can make both entities more productive.