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Have you ever joined a School Committee meeting? Did you consider attending or calling in, but found it hard to know what was being discussed?
The School Committee holds two meetings a month during the school year, and then once each in July and August. The School Committee also has subcommittees that hold meetings as necessary, and liaison relationships with eight bodies that also hold meetings. That’s a lot to keep track of for Sudbury families that want to be informed. I would propose a few changes to the School Committee’s regular process that may help.
First, School Committee agendas could be more robust. A community member wanting to get involved or get informed, should be able to read a short description of each item on the agenda. After meetings, there could be a summary of what was discussed and accomplished. I realize that meeting minutes are available, but if communication is a priority of the Committee, we need to consider ways to provide more easily digestible information.
Second, the School Committee should create a policy calendar. While the School Committee Handbook lays out annual agenda topics, there will inevitably be additional topics to discuss. Committee members and community members should have as much notice as possible before discussing and/or voting on policy. Everyone must have time to do necessary research and have necessary discussions in order to make an informed decision.
Third, with a policy calendar, interested community members and other stakeholders would also have time to form their own opinions and reach out to the School Committee. I would support creating a process for the School Committee to receive briefs from interested parties prior to a scheduled vote. Input is an important part of the policy making process and a variety of opportunities for input helps to ensure that all perspectives are being considered.
Finally, I would propose that School Committee members hold at least one outreach session at each SPS school each school year. These sessions would ideally be held at a different time of the day from regularly scheduled Committee meetings to try and reach families that cannot normally join meetings in the evening. The purpose of this outreach would be to listen and begin a conversation to be followed up on afterward.
You can review the School Committee Handbook here
https://www.sudbury.k12.ma.us/school-committee/school-committee-handbookYou can find me at www.allisonv4sudbury.com