Rotating School Committee chair roles ensures community voices are heard
We should take note of the commitment and service of the members who are departing, remaining, and joining the ranks.
The Acton School Committee and the Acton-Carlisle School Committee meet on Wednesday, June 3. Each committee will elect its chairperson and vice-chairperson and get its important work underway. As this transition unfolds, we should take note of the commitment and service of the members who are departing, remaining, and joining the ranks.
A key function of the chairperson is to prepare the agenda. Agenda-setting is a central leadership responsibility, as the agenda determines what our elected officials may — or may not — discuss about our school districts. As such, a collaborative approach is essential, so that our community is properly represented in School Committee discussions and deliberations. While school staff are and should be consulted as well, the committee members serve as our voices in setting policies and recommending spending decisions.
Rotation of School Committee chairs has been a time-honored and successful way of ensuring that the broad interests of the entire community are brought forward in ways that are accessible to the public. While this tradition has been somewhat overlooked in recent years, it should be restored.
We have rebuilt every school during the past generation, and now the administration building, and multiple buildings where other town departments operate, beg for attention. Capital and operating costs are escalating rapidly, and requests for override budgets are anticipated. Challenges related to student wellness and technology, academic performance, and civil rights are ongoing.
In light of these issues that will demand collaboration and consensus, our School Committees will do well to share leadership roles among their members. It’s healthy, and it will help us achieve the community support necessary for the decisions before us. Every citizen deserves to see those they elected occupy the role of chairperson on our School Committees.
Court Booth
Wright Road
Bob Grom
Mildred Circle
Cynthia Rainey
Hunters Ridge Road
The authors are former School Committee members.
