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Board completes self-assessment, plans communications and community forums ahead of budget debates
Summary
The board conducted a self-reflection exercise to prepare for difficult budget conversations; members agreed to emphasize transparency, consistent messaging, and to pilot mini town halls and communications follow-up items on agendas.
Superintendent Tracy Klinger led the board through a self‑assessment exercise during the Feb. 20 strategic planning meeting to prepare members for the emotional and operational demands of upcoming budget decisions. Board members listed challenges including political distrust, potential increases in public comment and emails, bargaining negotiations (OSEA and GBEA), student absenteeism and spring enrollment declines.
Board members discussed communication protocols for responding to increased public outreach and the possibility of adding a communications follow‑up item to agendas so the chair or superintendent can summarize outreach and next steps. Members favored piloting mini town halls or board‑led public forums this spring (with zoned members attending alongside one or two colleagues) to provide more interactive conversations than the standard public comment period.
The board also reviewed sentence frames and strategies for difficult conversations, discussed when to request security in advance of meetings, and affirmed commitments to assume good intent, center students and be deliberate about clarifying language during public interactions. The self‑assessment tool will be considered for future use at different points in the board's calendar.
