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Candidates push for clearer communication and more welcoming events to boost family engagement
Summary
At the forum candidates said restoring parental involvement after COVID requires clearer communications, more inclusive events and easier ways for families to contact the board and administrators.
Candidates at a Cohoes City School District forum emphasized restoring and expanding family and student engagement after COVID-related disruptions.
Candidates said communication from the district should make it clear parents are welcome in schools and aware of opportunities to participate. Susan Guzzi Paradis, a current board member, said, "There is an open forum at the end of any school board meeting where, taxpayer of the city can have any of the concerns that they have about the school district." She urged parents to attend meetings and said the district should promote social, nonthreatening events such as picnics and school cookouts.
Mary Anne Jadren and other candidates said schools have increased outreach through social media and PTA activities, and described examples where parent attendance filled stands for events such as a high school dodgeball tournament. Candidates proposed encouraging administrators to continue family-centered events, expanding PTA participation and making agendas and contact information easy to locate for residents who cannot attend meetings.
No formal board action occurred at the forum; candidates described outreach and engagement steps they would support if elected.
