Post by patriot2415 on Dec 4, 2006 13:36:35 GMT -5
All, as you know I have been pressing the BOE to meet with the residents that elected them. There was much talk last year about having theses sessions, but they have not happened. I have been in contact with the BOE on this matter and i will share with you their responses:
Sent by me to the BOE on 11/17:
2 months ago I brought up at the meeting a request for a BOE/Community meetings, you said you would discuss it. Has it been discussed? Any outcome? If no, can you state the reason please.
Response from the BOE on 11/20:
The Board discussed in the Oct. work session how we can better reach the community. The discussion focused on seniors and adults who do not have children in our schools. We have hired a public relations firm, HJMT, to assist us in reviving a newsletter to send out to the entire community as well as press releases in our local papers. They will also be working on our budget newsletter and annual school calendar. We do not have the manpower in-house to address all these areas. This group has just started to work with us.
In terms of individuals or groups wishing to discuss events or concerns in the district, we feel that the 2 BOE meetings each month, 24 hour access via e-mail, telphone calls, and meetings on the field or in the supermarket gives people ample opportunity to voice concerns. If there is a specific issue that needs to be addressed by the entire board, any board member can ask to have it placed on the agenda for our next work session.
Email from me on 11/22:
Pat, thank you for your response. I understand your comments. All of you put in many hours representing the community and having any regular scheduled meeting with the community would be a burden. We do have access to all of you and could ask our questions via email or telephone.
I do have 2 questions though, if as one of the many community leaders an issue was presented to me that I other community leaders and the community at large thought important enough to have a meeting with you the BOE, our elected representatives, outside the regular BOE meetings, would you meet with us?
Second question, and you know this will be asked when it is common knowledge.. who is paying for the PR firm?
Response from the BOE on 11/26:
In answer to your questions,
1- The BOE can meet to discuss any issues. This is usually done at our work and business meetings. If pressing matters require attention outside of those meetings, the board can meet with certain stipulations as required by law and contracts. The meeting must be properly announced to the community so all interested parties can attend. Since it is a meeting of the board, Mrs. Kelley must record minutes. Dr. Richman, Dr. Rufo, Ms. P'Simer, Ms. Ripley will also be in attendance as these are all members of the board's work group.
2- The PR firm was discussed a couple of months ago at our work session and the contract was then approved. This is a result of the board identifying that the majority of the community does not know all the great things happening in our schools. It will be paid for out of the budget. Money was already allocated for the newsletter, budget brochures, calendars. The balance of the money will come from the budget as we adjust our estimates from the beginning of the year to actual expenditures as the year progresses. As you know, the budget is a fluid document (just as in your home) and we can make line items adjustments as the costs are incurred as the year progresses.
I hope this answers your questions. The next community coffee hour is Nov. 27th (Monday). Please attend if there are any issues you would like to discuss!
Email from me on 11/27:
Hi Pat, so if I understand correctly, the community who voted the BOE members into office cannot meet with them unless it is a formally sanctioned meeting with official minutes and the administration present.
"the board can meet with certain stipulations as required by law and contracts" can you explain this?
Email from me on 12/3
I have not received a reply from anyone answering my last question from my 11/27 email, nor have I received an explanation of the statement from Pat's last email.
my question:
" if I understand correctly, the community who voted the BOE members into office cannot meet with them unless it is a formally sanctioned meeting with official minutes and the administration present"
Pat's statement:
"the board can meet with certain stipulations as required by law and contracts"
I would like to understand what this means as I am meeting with some other community members this week. I don't want to assume any meaning of the statement, I want to provide accurate information..thanks
Response from the BOE on 12/4:
I thought I had answered your questions in previous emails but apparently have not made myself clear. I have learned that when one person has a question, usually many others have the same one. Might I invite you to the next board meeting or community coffee hour so your questions can be answered completely and in public to benefit others who may have the same concern.
email from me on 12/4:
Pat, I understood your answers. I just needed clarification which you just gave me..thanks for your help
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I have my thoughts on what has happened, what the legal and contractual issues are. If what I think is happening is actual happening, shame on some people. Anyone want to offer their opinion?
I may not be at the next BOE meeting as I will be traveling for business. If someone would like to pick up the torch and get and answer, it would be appreciated. As for the rest, we can speak about it at when we meet.
Sent by me to the BOE on 11/17:
2 months ago I brought up at the meeting a request for a BOE/Community meetings, you said you would discuss it. Has it been discussed? Any outcome? If no, can you state the reason please.
Response from the BOE on 11/20:
The Board discussed in the Oct. work session how we can better reach the community. The discussion focused on seniors and adults who do not have children in our schools. We have hired a public relations firm, HJMT, to assist us in reviving a newsletter to send out to the entire community as well as press releases in our local papers. They will also be working on our budget newsletter and annual school calendar. We do not have the manpower in-house to address all these areas. This group has just started to work with us.
In terms of individuals or groups wishing to discuss events or concerns in the district, we feel that the 2 BOE meetings each month, 24 hour access via e-mail, telphone calls, and meetings on the field or in the supermarket gives people ample opportunity to voice concerns. If there is a specific issue that needs to be addressed by the entire board, any board member can ask to have it placed on the agenda for our next work session.
Email from me on 11/22:
Pat, thank you for your response. I understand your comments. All of you put in many hours representing the community and having any regular scheduled meeting with the community would be a burden. We do have access to all of you and could ask our questions via email or telephone.
I do have 2 questions though, if as one of the many community leaders an issue was presented to me that I other community leaders and the community at large thought important enough to have a meeting with you the BOE, our elected representatives, outside the regular BOE meetings, would you meet with us?
Second question, and you know this will be asked when it is common knowledge.. who is paying for the PR firm?
Response from the BOE on 11/26:
In answer to your questions,
1- The BOE can meet to discuss any issues. This is usually done at our work and business meetings. If pressing matters require attention outside of those meetings, the board can meet with certain stipulations as required by law and contracts. The meeting must be properly announced to the community so all interested parties can attend. Since it is a meeting of the board, Mrs. Kelley must record minutes. Dr. Richman, Dr. Rufo, Ms. P'Simer, Ms. Ripley will also be in attendance as these are all members of the board's work group.
2- The PR firm was discussed a couple of months ago at our work session and the contract was then approved. This is a result of the board identifying that the majority of the community does not know all the great things happening in our schools. It will be paid for out of the budget. Money was already allocated for the newsletter, budget brochures, calendars. The balance of the money will come from the budget as we adjust our estimates from the beginning of the year to actual expenditures as the year progresses. As you know, the budget is a fluid document (just as in your home) and we can make line items adjustments as the costs are incurred as the year progresses.
I hope this answers your questions. The next community coffee hour is Nov. 27th (Monday). Please attend if there are any issues you would like to discuss!
Email from me on 11/27:
Hi Pat, so if I understand correctly, the community who voted the BOE members into office cannot meet with them unless it is a formally sanctioned meeting with official minutes and the administration present.
"the board can meet with certain stipulations as required by law and contracts" can you explain this?
Email from me on 12/3
I have not received a reply from anyone answering my last question from my 11/27 email, nor have I received an explanation of the statement from Pat's last email.
my question:
" if I understand correctly, the community who voted the BOE members into office cannot meet with them unless it is a formally sanctioned meeting with official minutes and the administration present"
Pat's statement:
"the board can meet with certain stipulations as required by law and contracts"
I would like to understand what this means as I am meeting with some other community members this week. I don't want to assume any meaning of the statement, I want to provide accurate information..thanks
Response from the BOE on 12/4:
I thought I had answered your questions in previous emails but apparently have not made myself clear. I have learned that when one person has a question, usually many others have the same one. Might I invite you to the next board meeting or community coffee hour so your questions can be answered completely and in public to benefit others who may have the same concern.
email from me on 12/4:
Pat, I understood your answers. I just needed clarification which you just gave me..thanks for your help
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have my thoughts on what has happened, what the legal and contractual issues are. If what I think is happening is actual happening, shame on some people. Anyone want to offer their opinion?
I may not be at the next BOE meeting as I will be traveling for business. If someone would like to pick up the torch and get and answer, it would be appreciated. As for the rest, we can speak about it at when we meet.