Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Equity Audit Public Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School committee outlines community forums and stakeholder workgroups to act on equity audit
Summary
Committee members agreed to open public forums and stakeholder outreach to gather community input on the district's equity audit and to form a strategic planning process that includes students, parents, staff and community organizations.
Superintendent and committee members discussed steps to turn the district's recently completed equity audit into action, emphasizing public outreach, stakeholder listening sessions and a strategic planning group to prioritize recommendations.
The administration said it is coordinating with the Johnnycake Center to host at least one community forum, likely at the high school, before the end of the school year. The administration described a planned format that would let community members arrive at any time, speak with administrators or provide anonymous feedback via post‑it notes, QR codes or an on‑site computer station.
Committee members urged forming a working group or steering committee that includes students, parents, teachers, support staff, school administrators, school‑committee members and community experts. Several members said professional development for staff, student and parent engagement, special education practices, discipline and chronic absenteeism should be top priorities for early action.
Paula Whitford, a school committee member, said: "The strategic planning committee must include multiple stakeholders. These should include students, parents, educators, including teachers, assistant support staff, school committee members, and community members with expertise in education." Whitford listed professional development, parent engagement and special education as near‑term priorities.
Michelle Brussell and other members suggested roundtable formats or stations so attendees can react to specific audit findings and propose solutions. The committee asked administrators to compile members' written priorities and to return a consolidated summary to the committee and the public. Committee members emphasized capturing written feedback and soliciting solution ideas from those with lived experience.
No formal vote was taken. The committee directed administrators to proceed with community outreach and forum logistics, and several members said they expected to name a subcommittee or steering group to guide next steps.
