In most cities, school districts occupy more land than any private developer or other public entity. Yet, the cities in which school districts operate often have no more influence over schools than they do foreign countries.
This rift leaves cities incapable not only of regulating land use, but also of tending to their children when the schools disappoint them. Now in his 19th year as mayor of Toledo, Ohio, Donald L. Plusquellic shared with The Planning Report some strategies by which cities can both improve their neighborhoods and take back their schools.
Plusquellic is an outspoken critic of the divide between city governments and school boards, and has devised creative solutions to allow the city to tend to its children.
From the interview:
"Well, I think we’re a long way from where we need to be. Mayors need to realize something that is clearly right in front of our noses, and that is that the kids that the school system has during the day are our kids in each community. They’re our kids. It’s really one community. Most of the suburban communities understood that a long time ago. Most of them have open schools and opportunities for people to use recreational facilities, whatever they may be."
Thanks to Josh Stephens
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