Board outlines school‑of‑the‑month visits, MPTV videos to boost school engagement

The board’s committee on board‑building engagement reported a set of recommended practices to increase school visibility and strengthen board‑school connections. The plan centers on three action items: a monthly short video produced by MPTV highlighting one school, optional board member visits coordinated with school principals, and an in‑person visit window on the third Tuesday of selected months from approximately 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Why it matters: The plan is intended to let the board see classroom work and school programs in manageable increments without placing mandatory obligations on teachers or requiring lengthy board meeting insertions.

Committee members said MPTV would produce three‑to‑five minute videos that could be shown at board meetings; principals would select a school each month for the highlight and board members could arrange in‑person visits at times that work with building schedules. The committee recommended limiting in‑building visits to about 30–60 minutes so they would not burden teachers or instructional time. The program remains intentionally flexible; the committee left school‑level formats open (for example, speed‑table visits or short rotations) so each building can showcase its priorities.

The committee characterized the visits as opportunities, not obligations: principals and teachers can opt in or set schedules to ensure coverage and minimize disruption. Staff will return to the board with a structured calendar and a proposed schedule of which schools will be highlighted in which months.

Ending: Staff and the MEA will meet in August to continue building a calendar; the board expects a more structured plan and proposed schedule for fall highlights before October.