Meeting the needs of all children to achieve excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts has always been challenging. However, those challenges seem to have been greater lately than in the past.

The best and most effective way to address any challenge facing the school district is to have as much participation from concerned parents, guardians, and community members as possible. Your involvement is not just beneficial, but it’s crucial. If the board effectively partners with you, it will be fulfilling its mandate to serve the educational needs of the district children, and it will be able to make more properly informed decisions that have wide community support.

Whenever a significant policy decision is made or a practice instituted without widespread knowledge and consent, and when that decision will not be discussed in a public forum by those who have implemented the policy, it can lead to confusion, consternation, and mistrust.  There are way too many instances where the concerns and wishes of parents are not only brushed aside but actively and purposely thwarted.  Too often, the board engages in or approves of actions contrary to many parents’ expressed wishes.  Numerous people could be forgiven for believing the board members consider themselves better suited and equipped to determine what is best for other people’s children.  If the parents or guardians disagree with a particular board policy or district practice (written or unwritten), they are often ignored or given evasive half-answers and justifications, or their motives are impugned.  Some, who are also teachers in the district, have claimed retaliation for coming forward with concerns.  This must stop.

Part of the way to alleviate the current contentious atmosphere would be for all of us to remember that we care so much about what happens in the schools because we love our children.  We can then remember and admit that, though we all love our children, we will not always agree on the best solution to any particular problem that they, individually or collectively, may face.  Finally, we can do our best to discuss the pressing issues facing our schools in a professional and loving manner in the proper public forum of a school board meeting. This includes respectful communication, where everyone’s voice is heard and respected.

While it’s important to maintain organizational order to get things done, it’s equally important to ensure that the concerns of parents and residents are not overlooked. If a significant number of parents or residents express a desire to address a particular issue, there should be a formal process to make that happen. This would show that their concerns are not only acknowledged but also respected, providing a sense of reassurance and security.

In the not-too-distant past, the board was submitted a petition that basically states when 100 or more district residents or parents of CFSD students formally, via their signatures, indicate the desire for the board to discuss and ultimately vote on an item of concern, the board shall do so.  Over 150 district residents or parents signed that petition, but it was ignored.

If the board adopted this as a policy, it would significantly enhance public communication.  It would help dispel any fears or misunderstandings that may arise among district residents and parents. It would also allow the board to explain its actions in a more collaborative and conversational manner. This could be a positive step forward for our community. When elected in November, I will strive to make this a new policy and practice of the board.

For more information about Catalina Foothills School District Candidates CFSD Candidates, and Bart Pemberton, follow his Facebook & Twitter posts.