Grand Rapids launches community conversations to build stronger schools

GRAND RAPIDS — Sometimes, it really does take a village.

"Strong communities have strong school districts," Carol Copp said in a recent conversation on the KAXE Morning Show.

Copp is the curriculum integration specialist and literacy lead for Grand Rapids Area Schools (ISD No. 318). She was joined by district Superintendent Matt Grose.

Like many school districts in Northern Minnesota, Grand Rapids may need to go to the community for a referendum vote.

"As much as we need to, we're just not ready as a community for that, and there's a lot of conversations that need to happen," Grose said.

He added they will not be going to voters this fall.

Both Copp and Grose emphasized the importance of community involvement, even for those without children in school.

A series of community conversations will begin on Sept. 17, on topics like attendance, assessments, literacy, the state of the district and more.

"We at the district office are always available to answer questions and to sit down and talk," Copp said. "And it's better to do that than to maybe have some misinformation out there."

Listen to the full conversation above.