Parental involvement key to improved schools
It is very easy to complain about our schools in Guilford County. What is more difficult is to research and follow what our school board members stand for and implement.
Why? We, as parents, are so busy trying to provide for our children's needs that we don't take time to fully understand the policies proposed by Superintendent Terry Grier and then implemented by the school board.
We, the parents, should come together and take a stand for our children, schools administrators and teachers. Instead of being reactive, we need to be proactive. We complain about what the board does instead of being informed and vocalizing our concerns.
I challenge parents to ask questions, read the paper and educate ourselves so we can vote for people who will represent our voices. Don't leave the decision-making up to Grier and the school board. They are making decisions that will affect our children, our future.
Contact our school board representatives and tell them what we want for our children and schools. If we don't, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Lisa Clapp
Greensboro
Comments (5)
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Ms. Clapp,
Your letter and what you present are just fine. The problem that most parents would report is that they have contacted board representatives and told them whast they want, but the board just ignores them and does what they choose.
If you don't think this is true, consider the recent redistricting that occurred. The board held several meetings required by law for parents to provide input, and then some members of the board pulled out a map that no one had seen, including many members of the board itself, and voted to accept it. This is a prime example of the board disregarding parents' input.
No, contacting this school board means nothing. They don't listen, and they don't care what parents want. They have their own agendas, and they don't include education of students.
Posted on May 6, 2006 7:26 AM
ORR:
Agree. Note also that in Forsyth County the School Board was re-elected in-whole, then read my rant above about the non-accountability of Corporate Boards. I'm waiting on Dan or Brian to come to their defense.
BOTTOM LINE - those in power have all power and no accountablity and we need to stop letting them get away with it ... which frankly is the essence of all my blog raves (as well as in person, etc.)
Posted on May 6, 2006 9:01 AM
JDR, would you elaborate on the Forsyth County Board of Education? I do not hear anything on that entity.
Shalom
Posted on May 6, 2006 3:51 PM
I have sent many e-mails to the board using the addresses provided on the GCS website. As I have stated, I have only had 3 respond with personal comments, two of which seem canned. One real answer from one who voted against the busing policy for "High Point". I plan to start mailing letters this week. Will see what happens with that.
NONE of my suggestions or requests have had any affect. Oh well........
Posted on May 7, 2006 3:35 PM
JDR,
We just finished up "Annual Report" time and the glossys were coming in two at a time. When it came time to vote, I voted against the board on everything they suggested in compensation and outside consultants. Although it won't make a difference about my 500 shs of Exxon, I voted against EVERY recommendation the board made.
In the old days, it was thought that one should vote for the board if they were a stockholder. Today is a new day. I encourage all to vote against board recs to send a message.
Posted on May 8, 2006 9:04 AM