Project RESET plans to elevate education debate

A campaign by the Nashville Public Education Foundation hopes to gather the collective voice of the city so that people weigh in on education needs.

Project RESET is a multifaceted campaign that will bring Nashville together to talk about how to elevate education — from the prekindergarten to university level. The project is aimed at cutting through the noisy education debate in Nashville to create a clear agenda based on input from local and national stakeholders.

The foundation felt it is the right time to set a mission to improve education and create a model of innovation because of the hunt to find a new mayor and schools superintendent, said Tom Sherrard, chairman of the foundation and an organizer of Nashville's Agenda, a city leadership group.

"The goal would be to find the boldest and most innovative ideas that can move the needle, as far as public education is concerned," he said Friday.

RESET, or Reimagining Education Starts with Everyone at the Table, kicks off with an online survey in which residents can lend their vision for Nashville education, according to a news release. The survey focuses on a broad range of topics.

The event will culminate in a daylong forum May 30 that includes speeches from national education leaders, hands-on activities and opportunities for Nashville residents to talk about a broad range of education topics. The event will be chaired by Lipscomb University President Randy Lowry, Conexión Américas Executive Director Renata Soto and Vanderbilt University Vice Chancellor David Williams.

Shannon Hunt, Nashville Public Education Foundation president, said the campaign is about looking at the broader picture to metaphorically push the reset button on the education debate landscape in the city.

"It goes beyond just a handful of (talking points), like charter schools, and asks: 'What are the other things that we need to be talking about?' " she said.

The end result is designed to create a blueprint for how to promote Nashville public education so it can marshal philanthropic and private-sector resources. Sherrard hopes to draw from experiences of successful districts nationwide, including those in Denver, Cincinnati and Indianapolis, to attract interest of foundations similar to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

"Our intention would be to raise money, not only in the community, but to go out to foundations out there and say, 'Here's our project, it is innovative, bold and engaging,' " he said.

The group has raised over $750,000 for Project RESET, and the forum has garnered support from leaders citywide.

John Ingram, chairman of Ingram Industries, said it's about setting the table for what Nashville can do better.

"There is so much ... bickering," he said. "Let's take a step back and set our goals and engage on how to be more productive."

Reach Jason Gonzales at 615-259-8047 and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.