Last night was the public forum for the Ad-Hoc Committee on Grade Configuration. By most estimations about 100 individuals attended the event at Glacial Drumlin. Mr. Gerlach conducted an overview of the slide show presentation and then moderated a Q & A session. The slide show and details about the committees work can be found at:
http://www.mononagrove.org/4k8grade.cfm
There were many questions centered around open enrollment, T4K program questions, modular unit options and consolidation of Maywood and Winnequah. Comments were both for and against many of the solutions presented from the committee. Many individuals questioned the economics of bussing in this economy.
The one theme that I could sense from the night is that everyone would like to see a sound and just decision made that can work both short-term and long enough to not be revisiting this issue every year or two. As a committee member I really cannot agree more. This issue needs to be put to bed, so that the district and the board can move onto more pressing issues.
Please continue to send comments to the committee thru the district website until this Friday, the 22nd. Also, send all comments to the board as they will take this issue up at the next meeting in June.
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How many blogs do we need to read to get school info? Why can't the board president communicate this information on behalf of the board?
ReplyDeleteI understand your frustration. You would have to ask Ms. Fox why she does not have a blog or another way to communicate with the public.
ReplyDeleteOne of the main criticisms that I have heard is the lack of information from the school board. With each of us doing this it provides two viewpoints on the school board's activities. I think it is great that both Peter and I have these blogs going.
Personally I like the blogs. It allows the writer to give their opinion.
ReplyDeleteBut I do agree with the other person...it is so hard to find out what is going on with our district. I wish there was better coverage of decisions, meetings, etc.
It is not hard to find out what is going on. The Herald-Independent has reporters at almost every meeting and you can read timely news stories on everything going on in the district by subscribing or visiting our website: www.herald-independent.com. We also publish PTO reports and additional feature stories on activities and events at the schools. You can access information the moment it is published by signing up for our twitter account as well, just search 'MononaGroveNews'. We also enjoy reading Peter and Jason's blogs. - Adam Mella, Managing Editor
ReplyDeleteThanks Adam for the post. You can find information from various places, but you have to look for them. There is now 1 all encompassing site to visit, which is good because I prefer to get multiple points of view.
ReplyDeleteRegarding communication, what I find very interesting is that one of the board members who now finds himself marginalized by the New Order is the only board member in recent years to take the time to communicate in an ongoing fashion with the public - Peter Sobol. His blog has been the sole piece of communication and ongoing forum for discussion that has come out of a bunch of new candidates who claimed to want to improve communication, yet they've done nothing about it once they are elected. When will the public hold the board candidates accountable for the promises they make when they run? As near as I can tell, Jason and Peter are the only ones who have followed through on their claims to want to communicate with people.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the last poster. Both the Sues ran on a platform of transparency and communication, and they don't. They would say that they respond to individual concerns as they are brought up- but that is easy- tell everyone what they want to hear. I would really love to see them actually take a stand on something- publicly!
ReplyDeleteActually, if you were at the Ad Hoc meeting both got up and spoke.
ReplyDeleteSo obviously you 2 are from CG...but what about your hometown girl, Jill List. What has she done lately?? I have YET to hear anything FROM HER (ever...and I write plenty of emails to the board. At least the Susans will RESPOND to their constituents.) and every time I read the board minutes...she is absent. Hmm...if we are going to throw stones...let's put everyone in the arena.
Actually, I live in Monona, but for the purposes of this I live in the MG school district. Some of my favorite board members over the years have lived in both communities, so that matters little to me. I also like to keep this conversation respectful. It helps to refrain from things like shouting with capital letters.
ReplyDeleteBack to the issue, it is well and good to respond to individual emails, but the board in the last year or two has been no better than any other at getting info to the public in a systematic and comprehensive manner. Yet, many new members ran on a platform of improving this communication. I've yet to see them do anything about it and I hope they follow through with their promise.
so...people think that there is not enough communication. Let's focus on what makes good communication. You say answering emails is not good communication. Someone stated blogs are a sign of good communication. Let's define for our board members what people would like to see. Would it be newspaper coverage? Public statements of what they believe? (blogs, newspapers, etc)
ReplyDeleteinformation is readily available you just have to go get it-it will not be served to you with a fork.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure that these blogs are a source of information they are a slant on the information.