Public forum will discuss state’s educational strategic planning.

Public forum will discuss state’s educational strategic planning.

MANISTEE — A community forum focused on how citizens can enhance community involvement in state educational strategic planning will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at Manistee high School, 525 12th St. The event is being organized by We the People Action Network-Northwestern Michigan, an independent non-partisan organization based in Manistee County dedicated  to advocacy and action on issues of concern to the local community.

The keynote speaker will be Sheila Alles, chief deputy superintendent of the Michigan State Board of Education. An experienced educator and administrator, Alles is responsible for coordinating the state’s efforts and initiatives to move Michigan from number 42 in ratings published by U.S. News and World Reports to one of the nation’s top 10 education states within the next 10 years.

To explore local perspectives, the forum will include a panel discussion moderated by Ron Stoneman, superintendent of Manistee Area Public Schools. Educators, business people, and community leaders from Mason, Manistee, and Benzie counties will join Stoneman to discuss the state’s plans and  offer their own
on it and state and local needs.

The event begins at 7 p.m.