Executive Summary INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT

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Briana Andrews
6 years ago
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1 INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENT Consultant Services Agreement with the Jackson Public School District to Help Strengthen Governmental Relations and Public Affairs during the 2014 Mississippi Legislation Session January through March 2014 Executive Summary Institute Associate: Ms. Donna Echols, MPPA During the fall of 2013, the Institute of Government entered into discussion with the Jackson Public School District (JPS) to identify and assist in providing services to strengthen governmental relationships and public affairs support for the upcoming 2014 Mississippi Legislative Session. A three-month contract to work with the Jackson Public School District was approved and the scope of work agreement outlined the needs of JPS in the City of Jackson, Mississippi with Jackson State University, Institute of Government for professional services with regard to assisting the District administrative personnel with the development of a legislative agenda and relative information, advancement, and legislative communication support. The next phase of strengthening JPS governmental relationships and support was to set-up objectives. JPS would first need to create a positive public image for the District. Since the legislators have become prolific users of social media to keep in touch with constituents,

2 organizations (public and non-profit), and other related groups. Utilizing a recent Google search on JPS, did not find much positive information in a search feed. Thus when legislators and other decision-makers perform a similar search, the positive stories about JPS need to be there. For example the excellent mentoring program by 100 Black Men, Adopt-A-School efforts by local businesses, and other statistics about the state s largest school district. Also, news media stories can showcase JPS. Various public relations efforts can achieve legislative goals, i.e. create School Bus tours to show members of the media and legislators both successes and needs as well as creating a Star Graduate program for exemplary graduates with community, business, and legislator assistance public. Also, a Jackson Public School District s legislative agenda was identified, capturing and developing its needs. Strategy was put in place to cultivate support. This support from local legislative delegation, the school board, faculty, parents, members of the House and Senate Education and Appropriation Committees, the Chamber of Commerce, and local business leaders ignited energy through their voices and cooperative influence and was demonstrated before the Mississippi Legislature. The credibility of JPS continues to be enhanced with members of the legislative branch of government and other elected officials by these support groups as an important resource for information and through legislative testimony. Further, dedicated monitoring/tracking of all legislative activity along with related developments for JPS targeted issues was implemented. Attending all relevant committee meetings and committee hearings provide insight for establishing and maintaining positions on issues that affect JPS. Regular meetings with JPS administrators were held to communicate legislative positions, obtain input and create a position to be taken when necessary as well as develop an appropriate response strategy for the desired outcome. With JPS maintaining strong positions for the good of public education, it defines itself as a leader among urban school districts to present positions and/or compromises on issues to draw distinctions between needs of urban versus rural districts. 2

3 Once all the objectives were put in place, the plan of action for positive public and political image for JPS was created. As the point-of-contact with members of the JPS staff, the Mississippi and Capitol press corps, JPS was able to promote the various positions on legislative issues. JPS staff was provided proactive information to develop position statements and coordinate programs to make presentations to both legislative committees and the press corps. Hand-out materials were developed and included in legislative packets regarding matters and specific issues of interest to JPS. Monthly reports and presentations were given to JPS administrators, board members, faculty, and the general public at the regularly scheduled meetings during the three month term of the contract. A detailed weekly report that was submitted to the superintendent, his staff, and the JPS School board is attached for reference. This report was updated on a weekly basis to reflect changes in legislature and in some instances how this legislation could positively or negatively impact JPS. This report does not include legislation that was defeated or that died during the legislative process. The legislative links in the ed version could be clicked to take the reader to the legislation in order to read the bill first hand. This was a very effective method in educating the JPS decision-makers and keeping everyone up-to-date about bills that quickly changed during the process. Based on the final outcome of the 2014 Mississippi Legislative Session, we had a very productive session. The greatest achievement was giving JPS a voice on issues that impacted our largest school system in the state. Whether an issue had a positive or negative impact, JPS was at the table with key legislative decision-makers to make them aware of how targeted and specific legislation could positively or negatively impact our schools. This was also a unique opportunity to showcase the many positive events and successes of JPS and its students. It was very important for JPS to be able to promote positive stories to legislators as they considered legislation that impacted public schools in general. 3

4 A T T A C H M E N T Legislative Weekly Report 4

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