Dear Editor:
Last week I wrote a letter to encourage patrons of the Winston R-6 School District to attend the board meeting on Jan. 17 if they shared some of the same concerns I had.
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Those concerns were regarding our district’s reputation, our district’s working environment, and our student’s learning environment. I was encouraged to see about 30 patrons of the district at the meeting. We were able to publicly discuss several concerns that many people had. Five of the six board members in attendance were interested in what patrons had to say.
I would like to continue to encourage patrons to attend their board meetings. The school board is the local governing body of the school district. If patrons of the district have concerns with the school, and they find that those concerns are not being resolved through the proper channels (classroom teachers, building principals, superintendent), then the school board is the proper forum to bring those issues. However, in order to address the school board, a patron must be on the board agenda at least 24 hours prior to the board meeting. A person can have their name added to the agenda by contacting either the Board President Allen Ward; the Board Secretary Barbara Youtsey; or the Superintendent Lisa Bielby.
I think as parents and patrons in this district, we have a right and a responsibility to involve ourselves in the educational process. It is the only way we can assure that our children are getting the quality education they deserve. Change will not always be rapid, but it will be ongoing if we continue to bring our concerns to the board’s attention. They can only address what is brought in front of them when they are collectively assembled.
Sincerely, Tanya Farrell