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Trustees debate community listening sessions; some warn of role confusion
Summary
Board members discussed hosting district listening sessions to gather community feedback. Proponents said sessions would improve transparency; critics warned individual trustees could be drawn into administrative issues and suggested controlled formats and agendas.
Board member Daryl Roshan proposed that the board hold community listening sessions in district neighborhoods so trustees can gather public feedback in advance of policy decisions. He said sessions would give families and staff a chance to express views on topics such as cell-phone policy and the upcoming bond proposal.
Supporters said the sessions could help correct misinformation on social media and build relationships with parents. Trustee Melody Hines said, “If we can get ahead of it, I think that's a good idea.” Several trustees suggested structured formats, such as table-based conversations with a trustee at each table or short timed rotations to limit unfocused discussion.
Opponents cautioned that board members have a distinct governance role and are not administrators. Trustee Fred Cox warned that one-on-one interactions risk creating expectations trustees cannot fulfill: “The board should be speaking with one voice. … The board really doesn't know the answers to a lot of the questions we're gonna get.” Trustee concerns focused on maintaining the board’s policy role and ensuring information is routed appropriately to the superintendent and staff.
Trustees discussed moderators, agendas and a possible pilot format and asked the superintendent and board president to consider policy constraints and best practices before scheduling sessions.
