Board Communication to
Parents
David Deuel
27 August 2003
________________________________________________________________
From: Patrick MEYER <pjmeyer@CENATRIN.BF>
Re: your questions, we outline lines of communication in our policy manual,
the Parent-Student manual, plus teacher manual. It had taken alot of Board
training and attention on my part in getting the Board to redirect any
concerns and to get them placed at the proper level (classroom teacher,
admin, etc). We have an outline for our agenda for regular monthly meetings
and our semi-annual Association meetings that we follow. It provides a
specific point in time where comments from association members may be made
either on the proceedings or any other question(s) they may have.
Basically, the agenda is set up by me, and shared with the chair each time
so that we do not overlook what we should be covering each month. It
incorportates the various subcommittees work and whatever issues that are
out there. It does not allow meetings to get sidetracked nor for people to
get bushwhacked. The communications channels establishes clearcut
approaches to seek resolution of concerns or to obtain information. Board
members learn to abide by that and it has sometimes been my nasty task to
reinforce that. Things have gotten much, much better than when I first
arrived.
Our policy manuals are on our website: iso.htmlplanet.com
Patrick M. Meyer, Director
s/c Ambassade des Etats-Unis 01 BP 35
01
email pjmeyer@cenatrin.bf
Tel. (226) 36 21 43 Fax (226) 36 22 28
From: Larry Snyder <lsnyder@CAT.MX>
David: The idea of open board mtgs. was there when I was Director at
UAS. We limited the open part of mtg. to a set time. It is the only
school that I have been that had that as part of board mtg. Most other
schools have closed board mtgs. although FDR in
but no participation from visitors. We send newsletters open (with the
youngest child who generally is more responsible getting it to the parents
hands) and use our web site to also update parents on issues although it is
questionable how many parents look at that. Fortunately at this schools,
as with most others, parents are not that interested when things are going
well but only when announced tuition increase or another perceived
"negative" issue. What you might consider, and what I have done, is select
10-12 parents at random once or twice a month for an early morning
continental breakfast with you to just have open forum and keep parents
informed what is going on. This is good way to keep a "pulse" on what is
happening and makes those parents feel that they have a pipeline to you.
Good luck.
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 11:18:38 -0300
From: David Deuel <ddeuel@UAS.EDU.UY>
Subject: Board Communications
Dear Heads:
The
public. Although our school policy manual clearly spells out the procedures
that are to be used for these meetings held in public, a number of parents
are "confused" how the open forum part of the regular board meeting
works. Our leadership team has communicated to our parents the policy
statements regarding the Regular Board meetings and parent input.
Unfortunately, it appears that due to the transit nature of our
international families as well as the lack of experience of our host
national parents with meetings held in public, we find ourselves frustrated.
I am interested in knowing what format(s) your Board uses to communicate to
the parents of your school community about the role of the Board, the
purpose and function of its Regular Board meetings (if you use them), as
well as other important information regarding Board work. For example, if
via the school's newsletter, do you find it working?
Thanks in advance for your ideas and support,
David Deuel, Director