Yet, the school board oversees what
affects our most precious resource-OUR children. The school board
makes the policies about what information is downloaded into our
children’s minds. Those policies regulate not just facts, but
values, work ethics, integrity, and beliefs.
I have recently given these things much thought.
First of all, shame on me for not even looking into who is on the
local school boards or what’s happening within those boards. I used
to attend school board meetings just to keep in the know. Board
members seemed nice enough, though I often was not sure about what
they were speaking. When I had to address the school board about an
issue with my children, I was unsuccessful. I soon quit attending
board meetings as meetings now were difficult. I have spoken with
several other parents who had well-founded cases but went home
without a solution as well.
The National School Board Website (nsba.org) states purposes for
school boards, as follows:
The Importance of Local Governance in
Public Schools
There are six key reasons why local governance is the best way to
advance public education:
1 Education is not a line item in a school board’s budget—it is the
only item.
2 The school board represents the community’s voice in public
education, providing citizen governance and knowledge of the
community’s resources and needs, and board members are the
policy-makers closest to the student.
3 The school board sets the standard for achievement in the school
district, incorporating the community’s view of what students should
know and be able to accomplish at each grade level.
4 The school board is accessible to everyone in the community and is
accountable for the performance of the schools in the district.
5 It is the community member’s right as a voter to select new board
members who will work diligently to provide an opportunity for
students to receive a high-quality education, which will enable them
to succeed in their career, college, and life.
6 The school board is the community’s education watchdog, ensuring
that taxpayers get the most for their tax dollars. [to
top of second column] |
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In reference to items two and four, the school board
is supposed to be listening and interacting with us, the community.
This is the only way to represent us. As a board member, I want to
engage with families and be a resource to help them with unresolved
problems while helping make policies that avoid potential problems.
I am running because I believe the students, parents, and community
should be told what is happening in their school and actually have a
say in it. I am a concerned parent. As a school board member, I may
be able to help those that have questions or issues especially when
they have been unsuccessful with school “chain of command”. I will
listen, not dismiss the matter and even go with the parent/student
back to administration if needed. It is important to hear all sides
of a matter in order to find a solution to an issue.
I do believe in using a “chain of command” by starting at those
nearest the parent or student, however, sometimes a link within that
chain is the barrier to a solution. I want to help amicably repair
that link. I believe listening to parents, students, and staff is
key to helping resolve any problems they may have. Interaction and
engagement are so important, and this starts with being accessible.
Transparency is good for the whole community. This is especially
true as the school district is only accountable to their school
board, and the school board is accountable to no one except the
community. Elected officials need to be held accountable and that
can only be done if the community is informed.
The current school board is not accessible to parents and students,
and I would like to change that.
I can offer myself as someone who listens, tries to problem solve,
and has experience in persistently dealing with school matters. I
have quite a bit of experience in the area of special needs
students. I enjoy people of all ages. I hope to help give students
opportunities to transition into mature people able to live in a
community and give back to that community.
Please exercise your voting rights on April 4th and vote
NORA PETERS |