Letter: Moving Forward on Full Day Side-By-SideLetters to the Editor,
07:00PM / Monday, May 02, 2016 | |
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To the Editor:
A tale of two meetings: Moving Forward on Full Day Side-By-Side
The following are some thoughts on the recent Williamstown Elementary School Committee meeting on April 28. While I am on the high school committee, my comments are those of an individual.
It boils down to one question: Dialogue or monologues? Unlike other town committees, the Elementary School Committee and administration won't talk with the community. They cancelled a decades-old successful program, full day Side-By-Side, without giving the community a chance to save it. They hear public comments, they state and change reasons for its cancellation, but despite strong attendance, support and pledges of over $25,000, they won't talk with people on the record. (See http://www.newshare.com/planning/OPINION-stephanie-boyd-a-study-in-contrast-05-01-16.pdf for an excellent piece on conversations between committees and communities.)
It felt like two meetings: the community spoke, then the School Committee and superintendent. The Massachusetts guidelines on school committees say the "board must be responsive to the community it serves." (http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/cm1115gov.html). While it's their meeting to run, we hoped they would act as other committees have done and talk with the public.
After the School Committee and administration finished their Side-By-Side remarks, I asked if the community could respond as there are either inaccuracies or disputable statements. The chair Dan Caplinger said no, that "What the public has requested is for us to explain our position. ... I have a full agenda." The community did not request a briefing, but an opportunity to find a solution together.
Committee member John Skavlem soon after commented on civic engagement: "They just made a point that this was indicative. I'd like to make the point that most of the audience, to the rest of the public, has just left, and clearly the rest of the school business is not of their interest and I find that very shameful. That's indicative to me."
The people who left care about the rest of WES. It was clear there would be no conversation, we were told we could leave, I thanked them for letting us speak, and many left to discuss next steps as the School Committee meetings are on Willinet. (When I called and heard a probable Tuesday posting, I went the next day and got a copy to distribute.) I'm happy to apologize when I am wrong. No rudeness was intended. I thought when we left this was common practice. I've been at many meetings with dialogue between committees and audiences (though sadly not recently at WES on this issue). When the corresponding agenda item is completed people usually leave. For example, a delegation of retired teachers spoke at the Tuesday high school meeting. After they and the committee discussed their issue they left; I don't believe anyone doubts they care.
I hope I can interpret committee member John Skavlem's remarks, and the lack of protest or comment by the other members, as a desire of the School Committee and the community to engage in real dialogue, where we talk with and not at each other. As the strong attendance shows, I believe it is clear that the community of Williamstown heartily endorses such an effort. We ask the School Committee to please let us know when and where.
Steven J Miller
Williamstown, Mass.
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