Parkway, Rockwood Merge Community Education Programs

As previously reported by Patch, the partnership between the Parkway School District and Rockwood School District has been in discussion for almost a year and a half. 

A recommendation on the proposal to combine the Parkway and Rockwood community education programs went before school board members this month and a vote to move forward with the merger came Thursday night. The partnership would begin July 1, 2014.

Community education offers classes to residents of all ages on a variety of subjects.

There is reportedly little overlap in staffing between the two districts' programs, so they do not anticipate any loss of jobs due to the partnership.

The Rockwood School District released the following details of the combined program in a news release.

The Rockwood and Parkway School Districts made history at a joint Board of Education meeting on Sept. 19. The Boards established a ten-year community education partnership beginning next school year.  

The approval came after nearly 18 months of discussion and research that included community workshops and a complete review of the financial and human resources components of this extended programming.

During Thursday’s vote, the Parkway and Rockwood School Boards noted that a combined Community Education program could better serve the interests of both districts and patrons, rather than the current practice of operating separate programs.  The following benefits were noted:

--A partnership builds upon both districts’ existing advantages, such as location, convenience, quality and affordability with a focus on student/patron safety.

--A partnership offers a broader scope of programs/services for patrons than can be achieved through maintaining separate programs.

--A combined resident base of 250,000+ would provide capacity needed to sustain programs for long-term as both district’s enrollments and demographics continue to change in coming years.

According to Rockwood Interim Superintendent Terry Adams, “The partnership presents a wonderful opportunity for patrons of both districts.  It is also a fiscally responsible approach aimed at providing opportunities for cost savings and other efficiencies while not sacrificing the quality of programs and services.”

Parkway Superintendent Keith Marty agreed, adding “We appreciate the foresight of the Boards of Education from both districts in approving the partnership.  We believe this can become a national model for Community Education and set an example of what can be achieved when large school districts proactively work together.”

Find out more details on the proposal and answers to frequently asked questions here.