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Board reviews ‘Citizens in Our Classrooms’ model as possible district pilot
Summary
Board members discussed piloting a cohort‑based 'Citizens in Our Classrooms' program to deepen community understanding of district operations; presenters recommended starting with a smaller WPN parent pilot and studying other districts’ data before scaling.
District staff presented an idea to adapt a cohort‑based program called “Citizens in Our Classrooms,” an immersive series used elsewhere that brings community members behind the scenes of district operations.
The program, described by presenters as an eight‑session cohort for roughly 25–30 participants, begins with a bus tour of campuses and follows with interactive sessions intended to build informed citizen advocates. A presenter read the program’s description to the board as a model for building transparency and trust.
“I absolutely love the community that was formed,” said one participant (speaker S13), describing a prior local cohort’s experience and the relational benefits of meeting community members and district staff across several sessions. Presenters proposed piloting the program locally through the district’s WPN parent network and suggested offering a shorter or single‑topic version tied to parent‑teacher events if demand for full‑day participation proves limited.
Board members discussed selection criteria, recommending a diverse applicant pool representing multiple areas and interests. Members also asked about funding and the administrative burden of running full‑day sessions; presenters said they would research partners and report back with options, including a lighter pilot to test community interest before a full launch.
No formal action was taken during the study session; presenters will return with more information on partner districts’ results, funding options and potential selection criteria for a pilot.
