Have to agree that most parents don't see how this effects them. I was one and remember having to go because our site base decision team was doing a presentation to the board.I woudl report back to our group.I found them very interesting and went faithfully for over a year, of course the fact that my husband got on the board helped!! Now that he isn't on the board any more we still go at least to every other one. I will say that to see parents there are in the minority, our district had budget workshops for parents so they could learn about our budget, received with very little particpation.I think it is just a stigma thing...been there , thought that!It is a learning experience and you realzie why things are done the way they are. The year my husband was on board taught us so much and I wouldn't give it up for anything. It was just amazing what we learned....
Our PTA does have a committee for that (it's more like the chair is supposed to go, and if they can't make it one of the other members is supposed to fill in), but in the times I was at the board meetings I never saw our PTA represented, though I did see two from the other schools there. I took on the position as the BOE chair for our PTA for this coming year, since I'm usually there anyhow.
I agree--people don't go to these meetings and they should. THIS is where the action happens, and vey important decisions get discussed.
Our first meeting with the new supt. was held Monday night. We have MANY changes going on in our district so I thought I'd go to see how things were coming along. I was the only parent. It seems the only time parents come is when they are not happy and want to be on the agenda. The new supt. has put places on the agenda for student, teacher, and parent recognition,these people will get a brag at the meeting for something they have done, and also a place where anyone can speak without having to put on the agenda. Principals will give reports on their schools, I think they always have. There will be student reps from the high school, I read that in our local paper a few months ago. I would like to see teacher and parent reps, even if it is just through the PTOs. Does anyone else have parent and teacher reps at their BOE meetings? Our principals from our 6 schools have decided to band together and work as a team for a postive change in our system, I really think they would support it if I persisted. I just wanted to get a feel of what everyone else does.
[ 07-14-2004, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: C. Brooks ]
