Making the Most of Your First Term – 7
Working with the Community
What is Community Engagement?
AASB’s idea of Community Engagement goes beyond the traditional notion of ‘community involvement’ or ‘public participation’. We define it as:
“…the intentional action of groups and individuals working together to create healthy environments that support the growth and education of children and youth.”
There are a lot of key concepts in that sentence that are important to our commitment to advocating for Alaska’s young people: Intentional action… Groups and individuals working together… Create healthy environments… Support the growth and education of children and youth.
Engaging all sectors of our communities to ‘help kids succeed’ takes a different tack from focusing on young people’s problems and developing programs to address them. It comes from the strengths-based perspective of what do kids need in our world today to SUCCEED. What we know in our hearts, and from many years of research and evidence, is that young people need multiple caring adults in their lives to support, encourage and provide meaningful opportunities for them. They need clear boundaries and expectations, and they need good role models.
How can my district encourage broad-based community engagement?
School board members are in an ideal position to foster a sense of shared responsibility within the community for the success of ALL kids. You can lead by example. You can enlist neighbors, faith communities, local businesses, tribes, civic organizations, youth-serving organizations, families…all adults in your community… to learn how they can be intentional in their daily interactions with youth, to look for opportunities to provide positive supports for youth, and to create opportunities for meaningful involvement of young people in schools, organizations, and the community.
To learn more about how communities all over Alaska have created effective ways to support young people, and to learn the research behind this approach, visit AASB’s Alaska ICE website: www.alaskaice.org.
How can I make sure I represent community sentiment?
You will not be able to speak with everyone in your community on all issues; however, the Board as a whole should be able to gain input from a cross-section of community members.
A variety of approaches can be followed, from hosting a seniors’ prom or luncheon, to holding your Board meetings at different locations in the community. Consider including key community members on various school committees. At a minimum, the Board members should make a point to get out in the community and talk to people about the school system so you can learn what their issues and concerns are. The more you talk to people, the more you will be able to reflect community sentiment in your deliberations on various issues.
How should the Board communicate with the community?
You should review your School Board policy on community relations. This area is quite involved, but at a minimum, you should strive for two-way communication with local opinion leaders and engage them in a regular, ongoing dialogue about your district. The more your community is involved in the schools, the easier it will be to gain their help when you need it — whether it is to pass a bond issue for much needed improvements, or to explain a controversial decision that the School Board makes. And be sure to celebrate the successes of each school with the community as well!
What if I have a different viewpoint than my constituents?
You were elected to represent your community, not to promote just your own opinion. That said, not everyone in the community will agree on an issue. If you feel you have gathered community input, you should base your decision on what is best for the students in your district. Remember, also, that individual community groups may focus on a single issue or concept, and these people probably have not benefited from the information and facts you have received. As an elected trustee, you have been empowered by your community to make decisions for them. Factor in differing community opinions the best that you can, but in the end you should vote as responsibly and ethically as possible, with the majority of students in mind.
How should I respond to parental complaints?
If contacted individually, you should refer the person to the appropriate channel of authority, except in unusual situations. Board members should not take private action that might compromise the Board or administration.
The best way to respond to parental complaints is to be a good listener. In the process of listening, you can ask questions to understand the situation better, but be careful the parent does not interpret your questions or comments as an indication of future Board action. Once parents have shared their complaints with you, try to give them guidance on how to get their concerns addressed through the proper channels.
It is critical that you know, and are able to explain, the district’s complaint procedures. Encourage them to follow the prescribed steps. Remember, it is not your responsibility to take on the concerns of each community member who calls you. You are not the source for their solution (as a single Board member, you don’t have that kind of authority), you are a resource that will help them solve their own issues. You should listen to them, but then make sure they know to contact the school staff to have their concerns addressed in the appropriate manner. It’s important they understand that, in your role as a School Board member, you do not get involved in the management of the school; your role is to set goals and oversee the school district’s operations.
Ultimately, you may be called on to sit in judgment of a staff member or a student. If you have been convinced of the person’s guilt prior to the hearing, you cannot be a legitimate juror during the objective presentation of the evidence. Don’t give up your right as a Board member to serve in this role!
How should the Board communicate with the community?
You should review your School Board policy on community relations. This area is quite involved, but at a minimum, you should strive for two-way communication with local opinion leaders and engage them in a regular, ongoing dialogue about your district. The more your community is involved in the schools, the easier it will be to gain their help when you need it — whether it is to pass a bond issue for much needed improvements, or to explain a controversial decision that the School Board makes. And be sure to celebrate the successes of each school with the community as well!
What are some strategies for responding to vocal opponents to Board decisions?
Often times, community members just want to know that they have been heard. When people show up at a Board meeting to voice a concern, be sure you treat them with respect and listen to their comments. Ask questions to fully under stand their point of view. A Board meeting is not an appropriate place for an argument on any given issue. And the Board should resist the urge to take a collective vote on an issue that the speaker claims is urgent, but is not listed as an action item on the agenda. In fact, it is highly recommended that any issue “sprung” on the Board at a Board meeting be referred to the administration or a Board committee for discussion and review. If any action is then determined to be necessary, it can be added to the agenda for a follow-up meeting. For opponents who voice their disapproval at another time, you should listen and ask questions to show your interest and gain a greater understanding of their issue. You can explain the decision-making process that the Board followed to arrive at the unpopular decision, if the person is willing to listen. Try to not become defensive or emotional with the person. Remember they are not attacking you personally; they are simply communicating their unhappiness with a decision made by the entire Board. You are just one of several people on the Board.
How should I respond to parental complaints?
If contacted individually, you should refer the person to the appropriate channel of authority, except in unusual situations. Board members should not take private action that might compromise the Board or administration.
The best way to respond to parental complaints is to be a good listener. In the process of listening, you can ask questions to understand the situation better, but be careful the parent does not interpret your questions or comments as an indication of future Board action. Once parents have shared their complaints with you, try to give them guidance on how to get their concerns addressed through the proper channels.
It is critical that you know, and are able to explain, the district’s complaint procedures. Encourage them to follow the prescribed steps. Remember, it is not your responsibility to take on the concerns of each community member who calls you. You are not the source for their solution (as a single Board member, you don’t have that kind of authority), you are a resource that will help them solve their own issues. You should listen to them, but then make sure they know to contact the school staff to have their concerns addressed in the appropriate manner. It’s important they understand that, in your role as a School Board member, you do not get involved in the management of the school; your role is to set goals and oversee the school district’s operations.
Ultimately, you may be called on to sit in judgment of a staff member or a student. If you have been convinced of the person’s guilt prior to the hearing, you cannot be a legitimate juror during the objective presentation of the evidence. Don’t give up your right as a Board member to serve in this role!
How does one encourage School Board service?
Promoting School Board service as a meaningful way to contribute to your community is an on-going responsibility for School Board members. Your actions, teamwork and enthusiasm for Board service will influence people in your community to consider serving on your School Board. Attracting qualified and energetic candidates results from your year-round activities, not just at election time. By increasing community participation within the schools, you can identify community members who might be willing to consider School Board service.
Invite individuals to join ad hoc committees, volunteer at school in the classroom or simply attend various events at school to become more involved. In this way, potential candidates can become more aware of the challenges facing your schools and the successes you have enjoyed.
How can Boards increase public participation and support at meetings?
The first place to encourage public participation at meetings is to review how you treat the public when they come to your Board meetings. A pleasant environment, a few social amenities and a regular method by which the public can address the Board not only contribute to good decision making, but will also foster good public attitudes about those decisions. The cardinal rule in building support for public education is to invite input and treat the public with respect. District policies and procedures should make people feel that they are a welcome part of the Board meeting and resulting decisions.