Springs community liaisons are unsung heroes of school districts

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), May 9, 1999 by Scott Smith

So what exactly is a community liaison?

"They're unsung heroes," says Paul Johnson, who manages Colorado Springs School District 11's community-liaison program. "They're the rubber that hits the road."

Community liaisons are full-time D-11 employees assigned to schools in high-need neighborhoods. Liaisons do a little bit of everything, depending on the school and community.

They counsel students regarding academic, attendance and personal problems. They link school, families and community agencies.

They help older students with job placement and career planning. They routinely make home visits and help needy families obtain food, clothing, shelter, medicine, transportation and anything else necessary to help maintain a strong family environment.

"They're good people who often put in 50-60 hours a week - they're helping hands," Johnson says. "They support families who need support. We want to see all of our students graduate and go on to post-secondary school or to careers that are productive and successful. We want to get them in school, help them remain in school and see that they're engaged in school."

The district has 12 community liaisons now - four in elementary schools and the rest in middle schools and high schools; that number has diminished slightly during the last 10 years, Johnson says.

Liaisons are assigned to schools based on community need and are paid less than full-time teachers; Johnson says some liaisons need to augment their income with second jobs.

Harrison School District 2 also has two full-time community liaisons, one at Sierra High School and one at Harrison.

Scott Smith may be reached at 636-0232 or scotts@gazette.com