Listen. Learn. Decide.

Recently, some argued I have criticized things, but have not offered solutions. To answer, I’ll put forth some ideas. All cost little to enact. 1. To more effectively reach the district’s non-budgetary goals, we should develop them at the very beginning of the school year, but also do as Goshen does and include a written plan of action with strategies to achieve those goals and with individual responsibility determined. Time should be set aside in a January board meeting for a midyear progress report and again in May for a year end summary. This information should be included on the district Web site. 2. We would do well to imitate the way Warwick incorporated the community in its Strategic Planning Process. We could build on our 21st Century Learning Committee by enlarging this committee to include community members, putting it on a fast track with frequent meetings, and charging it to develop a plan for district change using the input of parents, teachers, administrators, and other community members. 3. In an ideal district, citizens could post questions and comments they have for the board from the district Web site. If we did this, our board and superintendent could incorporate time to respond to the best of those postings. 4. I believe that one of the reasons given a few years ago to go from two to one board meetings per month was to allow more time for board committee meetings. According to the minutes published on the district Web site, each year many of the board’s committees meet infrequently and some, apparently, not at all. Only one met this year before November, even though the board year starts in July. Committees should hold early organizational meetings, meet a number of times each year, and present their conclusions regularly at board meetings. 5. Here’s a way for the board to learn what people are thinking in our big district. The board could have at least one night early in the year when it invites community members, students, and parents to discuss the state of the district. Those attending could be divided up into groups, each including at least one board member, although not necessarily led by that person. Each group could discuss open issues or, if needed, some prepared questions. Board members could later share some of the things they learned. 6. Pine Bush residents can watch board meetings streamed through the district site— that’s something that would also be useful for Monroe-Woodbury. Let’s not be afraid to change. I like what Dr. Laurence J. Peter said: “Bureaucracy defends the status quo long after the quo has lost its status.” Dr. John MacDonald, candidate For Monroe-Woodbury School Board