Letter to the Editor: Dexter Parents' Feedback Vital to School Board

By Barbara Read

Having spent many hours at the Dexter schools as both a mom and a volunteer, I know that parents often have questions or concerns about the school district, but the school board does not always hear about them. 

One example of this is the loss of the playing fields during the construction of the bus loop. Perhaps no group of Dexter elementary students needs a flat field as badly as the Wylie third and fourth graders. They have been known to play soccer right through winter in their snow boots — at all three recesses — when they had fields to play on.

When the bus loop went in, Wylie lost these fields, and for two years, there has been no good field for the Wylie kids to play on in sight of the teachers. 

This has been a concern to parents, but was not on the radar of the school board members. When I brought it to their attention, they made a plan to use the equipment already on campus to create a soccer field behind Wylie. Not very expensive, but very welcome.

Although this was an obvious need to parents and teachers, the school board was not aware of it. Parents are vital to the school board's decision making process. The board members need feedback from families and community members to effectively do their jobs. 

If you have an idea or concern and would like to share it with the school board, here are tips for communicating with the board.

• Usually, topics are discussed for several weeks or even months before a decision is made. If something is important to you, stick with it and even consider attending the smaller committee meetings.
• Fill out a yellow “public participation” form when you arrive at meetings and hand it to a board member. This lets the board president know that you have something to say. You will have 5 minutes to address the board during the first public participation time.
• The board follows rules of order, which require them to listen only. They may not interrupt, ask or answer questions while you are speaking. So plan to just make a short speech and then sit down.
• Have your thoughts collected (writing some notes to follow is helpful) and focus on making your point.
• If you run out of time to talk, stay after the meeting for a few minutes to speak with board members individually.
• There is a second opportunity to speak at each meeting. It is more relaxed, and people simply raise their hands for a chance to speak. The time is shortened to 3 minutes per speaker. You will need to choose one of the times to speak, or choose two different topics, because topics cannot be repeated at the two public comment times.
• You can send an email or make a phone call to the board members if you cannot attend a meeting, but wish to weigh in on a topic before the vote. Emails can make a difference. Recently this occurred with the , which were changed from a flat fee to a per sport fee based on parent feedback.

Most often the ideas I have brought to the board meetings were ideas that we as parents were talking about, but had not really come to the attention of the board. Because I spend so much time in the schools with both teachers and parents, I have been able to share both their larger and smaller concerns with the school board. 

I want to be an advocate for you, to be a voice for your concerns and most especially for the children about whom these decisions revolve. If elected as a school board trustee, I will listen to parents, teachers and community members and help you share your concerns with the board members. I would be honored to serve on the school board for you and bring your voice to the table.

For more information, feel free to contact me at http://www.barbararead.org/.