School Board Member Community Meetings
Board President, Cheryl Chow is now planning to hold regular community meetings. The first one, scheduled in April, was cancelled, I believe because Cheryl was traveling to Charleston and Philadelphia as part of the superintendent search.
Another one is scheduled for tonight, from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Tully's on Rainier Avenue (4400 Rainier Avenue S., corner of Rainier and Genesee). It looks like she is planning to have these meetings on the first Monday of the month.
Brita Butler-Wall, even though no longer Board President, continues her weekly drop-in office hours at the Honey Bear Bakery in Ravenna every Thursday morning from 8 am to 10 am.
And Sally Soriano continues to hold monthly community meetings on the second Friday of each month from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Meadowbrook Community Center.
These are great opportunities to talk about issues with School Board members and, in my experience, are more satisfying than testifying at School Board meetings because they present an opportunity for real dialogue.
Another one is scheduled for tonight, from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Tully's on Rainier Avenue (4400 Rainier Avenue S., corner of Rainier and Genesee). It looks like she is planning to have these meetings on the first Monday of the month.
Brita Butler-Wall, even though no longer Board President, continues her weekly drop-in office hours at the Honey Bear Bakery in Ravenna every Thursday morning from 8 am to 10 am.
And Sally Soriano continues to hold monthly community meetings on the second Friday of each month from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Meadowbrook Community Center.
These are great opportunities to talk about issues with School Board members and, in my experience, are more satisfying than testifying at School Board meetings because they present an opportunity for real dialogue.
Comments
My weekly office hours have been a great way to stay connected with a variety of people over the last 4 years. The bakery/bookstore is at NE 65th and 20th NE. I meet every Thurs. 8-10 am whenever school is in session.
Please note that I will be out of town this week, however. Hope to see you the following week.
I'm not aware of any opportunity people have to enter into conversations with the District staff. I wish THEY held office hours or did community meetings.
Perhaps a person could just call them up and ask for a meeting. But when you have a quote in the newspaper from a principal saying that not every parent can get a meeting with her, it makes the idea of asking for a meeting with the Chief Academic Officer or an Education Director seem totally unreasonable.
But point well taken.
Anyway, Brita, I love Honey Bear, and I really appreciate that you take the time to have community meetings. Keep up the good work!!!