2008 City Innovations Showcase
City/School Partnerships
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Government, Education and the Arts: A Partnership for Success
City of Clearwater
Since the 2003 opening of the Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute at Ruth Eckerd Hall (REH), the partnership between Clearwater and REH has been making a difference in the local school system. In addition to providing a home for several community-based performance groups, the center has partnered with Skycrest Elementary School to enhance education using the arts. Through the partnership, REH provides in-school arts programming and the City of Clearwater provides technical advising and assistance identifying funding sources.
Contact: Margo Walbolt, Cultural Affairs Manager
Parks and Recreation Department
City of Clearwater
P.O. Box 4748
Clearwater, FL 32758
Phone: (727) 562-4809
E-mail: margo.walbolt@myclearwater.com
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High School Government Program
City of Kissimmee
The City of Kissimmee Public Information Office created a free program that provides local high school students with a behind-the-scenes look at city government. Approximately 35 students from American government classes visited City Hall each week in October 2007. Activities consisted of various interactive exhibits presented by several city departments. The purpose is to educate youth about the city’s form of government and provide examples of how city services impact their lives. The goal is to introduce the students to the local-government process and hopefully give them career ideas and inspire them to register to vote and get involved in their community.
Contact: Carla Banks
Public Information Office
City of Kissimmee
101 N. Church Street
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Phone: (407) 518-2314
E-mail: cbanks@kissimmee.org
World of Work Program
City of Palm Bay
The City of Palm Bay Public Works Department has partnered with the Brevard Achievement Center and welcomes students from the center’s World of Work Program several times a year to tour their facilities. The students receive a realistic, up-close look at the workplace, and are given the opportunity to learn what workplace expectations are and how to achieve success. Following the tours, students return to their classrooms and share their new knowledge with fellow classmates. As a result of this program, students are shown that their futures are open to a vast number of opportunities that they may have never known about.
Contact: Jim Proce, Public Works Director
Public Works Department
City of Palm Bay
1050 Malabar Road S.W.
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Phone: (321) 953-8996
E-mail: procej@palmbayflorida.org
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Mayor’s Mentors & More
City of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg city leaders stepped out of the traditional role of city government to make education a top priority. The comprehensive “Mayor’s Mentors & More” initiative encompasses mentoring, corporate partnerships, educator incentives, fund raising, scholarships and other youth-related initiatives. More than 80 corporations, 18 nonprofit groups, and 1,400 public- and business-sector employees have joined the city’s efforts to play a larger role in the ongoing success of the 47 public schools within the city.
Contact: Lori Matway, Manager
Schools and Policy
City of St. Petersburg
175 Fifth Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 893-7174
E-mail: lori.matway@stpete.org
Planning Internship Program Generates Funds
City of Tallahassee
The Blueprint 2000 Agency is funded by the local-option sales tax. In order to make the sales tax receipts go farther, the agency has developed a partnership with the Florida State University Department of Urban and Regional Planning and employs two master’s degree program students to assist in the preparation of grant applications. Grants have been awarded in the areas of environmental preservation, water quality, landscaping and transportation enhancement. The students learn and perform in a real work environment. Since 2003, five interns have been paid approximately $60,000 and have brought in more than $6 million in grant awards.
Contact: Dave Bright, Planning Manager
Blueprint 2000 Intergovernmental Agency
City of Tallahassee
1311 Executive Center Drive, #109
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 701-2740
E-mail: david.bright@blueprint2000.org
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