Deep Local Roots with Fresh Perspectives

Communication

EVERYBODY'S POINT OF VIEW MATTERS

Communication between the board, district administration, school administrators, parents, and, especially, teachers needs repair. All of these constituencies need to be considered and need to participate in dialog on relevant issues. This clearly is not happening now. There will be people who don't agree with every decision I make, but my goal is to make sure that every one feels that, at the very least, I gave their sentiments and concerns fair consideration and thorough investigation.

DUE DILIGENCE MUST BE PERFORMED

There have been issues around expulsions that have been handled, at best, poorly. This should not happen. It would not happen if all of the relevant parties in the process were in the communication loop on the issue. As a board member, I would insist that due diligence be performed. The student, parents, administrators, and teachers all need to be involved in putting together the data used to make a decision on important issues such as these.

WE NEED TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC

I am also bothered by the lack of communication that the district has had with the community as a whole. If the district wants to let the community know about an event or an issue, it notifies the local papers that may or may not run the release. They send information home with the students, which may or may not make it home, and which may or may not get read. If you are reading this, you understand the power and value of the information source we call the Internet. Sierra Sands is woefully behind the times in its web presence. Things have improved somewhat in the last couple of years. Some basic things like transportation schedules and school menus are now online. But what if you knew that within moments of a snow day cancellation decision being made, that you could go to the district website and find that out without waiting for one of the local radio stations to broadcast the information. How would you like to be on an email distribution list that would notify you any time a school board meeting minutes or agenda were posted (especially if the agendas were actually available before the meetings...) These are just a few examples of some of the things for which I'd strive as a member of the school board.