Dear Editor:
On the evening of October 14, the Kids First/Parents For Progress led Board Of Education majority voted to alter the school calendar. The significant change is an added half day which is occurring less than eight days after the approval. The purpose of the half day is to offer parent/teacher conferences. While noble in thought, it is confounding in practice and timing. I have found that our fine teachers make every effort to accommodate parents on our schedules. (i.e. early morning, lunchtime, after school) Significantly, there will be no aftercare that day. How does this benefit parents? If you work full time and can’t make it, you have to scramble for sitter coverage along with 1000 other families. If you want to attend, you have to scramble for sitter coverage with 1000 other families. If you are a stay at home parent, you have to scramble for sitter coverage along with 1000 other families. Back To School nights are challenging enough when many two parent families can have one parent stay home while the other attends or have a friend or neighbor home from work lend a hand. Also, typically there are more sitters available at night. Moreover, the week’s notice does not allow for flexibility in the work schedule. Business trips and immovable meetings are schedule in advance. Appointed Board of Education member, Monica Stromwall and her entire slate were unable to attend the Board of Education debate held in the evening with two weeks notice. Yet, she voted to provide parents half that time to find coverage on a Wednesday between 1-4 p.m.
Luckily for Ms. Stromwall and her slate, The Parents For Change candidates (and at least on candidate from the third slate) have offered another opportunity to debate, at a time and a place of Ms. Stromwall’s choosing. (At this time, our offer has not been accepted.) As a parent, it is critical that we hear from all of the candidates about ideas for advancing our schools which lag behind in state rankings in nearly every measurable category. I also want to know as a parent, why Ms, Stromwall voted to place undue burdens on parents that she so publicly would not bear herself.
Brian Murray
Candidate for Board of Education, Parents For Change, 1H