Business Forum misnamed.....................

When this was first proposed I was under the impression that local businesses would be letting government officials know how they feel about local government and the local government run schools. I thought it a good thing that the voices of local business would have a platform and that local government and school administration would listen to what they have to say. Now, looking at the agenda I can see that this is not the case. It will be your typical, "government bureaucrats taking the floor and telling the community how to run their businesses and what agenda to follow". Just take a look at the agenda, who is speaking, and how long they have the floor. I think you'll come to the same conclusion.
It is really too bad. I had hopes this meeting would have a more beneficial purpose.

The closing statement is very telling:
"this effort at creating a shared vision for this District and City Governments to begin working together in a closer partnership."


Business Forum Agenda (three hour meeting)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company

Introductions - (10 minutes - Kevin Steiner).
8 a.m. - 8:10 a.m.

West Bend School District: Strategic Vision / 21st Century Skills (20 minutes - Joe Carlson,
Dr. Herdrich and Ted Neitzke)
8:10 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.


EDC (20 minutes- Charlie Hillman and John Torinus)
8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.


Focused Discussion - (20 minutes - led by Joe Carlson, Dr. Herdrich and Ted Neitzke)
(9:10 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.)

· Describe the skills needed to ensure college readiness and career success in a global economy.

· List the innovations needed in our K-12 Strategic Plan.

· List funding options for the vision and proposed innovations.

· Describe how the stakeholders can collaborate for West Bend.


Round-table discussion - (20 minutes)
(9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.)
School board members, school district employees, University of Wisconsin - Washington County, Moraine Park Technical College, business owners and Village of Jackson.

City of West Bend Vision (15 minutes - Mayor Deiss, John Capelle, Dennis Melvin)
(9:50 a.m. - 10:05 a.m.)

Business Vision for the City Business Climate Discussion- (15 minutes - Economic Development Committee/Chamber of Commerce)
(10:05 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.)

Round-Table Discussion on Future and Potential for West Bend- (30 minutes)
EDC, City Council, City Leaders, Business Owners and Village of Jackson.
(10:20 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.)


Wrap Up (10 minutes - 10:50 - Joe Carlson, Mayor Deiss and Dr. Herdrich)
(10:50 a.m. - 11 a.m.)
Wrap up to determine future follow up and possible meeting to regroup in the future to continue this effort at creating a shared vision for this District and City Governments to begin working together in a closer partnership.