If money were no object, what would schools want?

If money were no object, The Gazette asked, what programs should schools have to help at-risk students. Here are the ideas provided by educators:

• Free early childhood education, including transportation, for 3 and 4 year olds.
• Enrichment summer programs that provide academic support and experiences that low-income children don't often experience, such as field trips to the zoo, water park and museums.
• Free transportation for students in extracurricular activities.
• Increase opportunities for parental involvement.
• Make school computer labs available to families, since some families lack access to computers.
• Develop a Welcome Center that has information about all community resources, with a staff member to help families through the process of getting help.
• Embrace the community school concept. Keep schools open later. Serve dinner and provide a space for students to do their homework with all necessary supplies on hand.

Taylor Elementary in Cedar Rapids is the closest example to a community school in Eastern Iowa.

Taylor, at 720 Seventh Ave. SW, houses several community service offices and partners with community groups - including the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, and the Science Center - to provide free, after-school programs for students.

“We don't talk about it a lot because that's just what we do at Taylor,” Principal Brian Christoffersen said. “We want to create a school experience that is positive. No matter what happens in the student's real world, we want the school to be a place that has supportive adults, time with friends and opportunity.”