Social media looks like

http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2012-03-11/

Social media

I was reminiscing about a past school board member — she sent me an email about a tweet I made. Not that she had a Twitter account, but appeared to have a screenshot sent to her (which she sent to me). I found her lack of social media sense humorous, but also sad. She should have tweeted back to me, or sent a dm via Twitter, not an email. You don’t mix SM platforms!

Today, I did a social media check on a couple of our current board members. They used Facebook as a platform to get voters, held them captive, and …. let them go. Example: Kevin Carroll last posted to his FB election page on Sept. 17, 2011, as if he had no need to talk to constituents after being sworn in. If you take all the FB fans from all the school FB pages, see the number of interactions they receive, I think there is a strong argument for school board members to maintain their FB election pages. I was very willing to meet people where they were at online, and no other candidate stated the same. I now see why — because the board members are not where their constituents are. If you have a student in the WDMCS, I don’t see how you can receive quick input or get impressions and feedback when board members have their heads in the sand. I always assumed they were waiting to act collectively, but after watching the board, old and new, for over a year, I am not sure that’s what they are doing.

Why take no stance?

I’ve taken a few stabs in the dark about why West Des Moines school board members refuse to take a stance at this pivotal time of the 2012 legislative session. I’ve been told that they publicly stated a stance of no stance at last night’s meeting. How disappointingly reactive. I value proactivity. If anything, they could at least show support for any statewide groups to which they belong. A little letter to the editor in the local edition of the paper might be nice. I can picture it now, “We read the IASB weekly memo, and talked to our own legislators about the four points suggested by the executive director.” If they do not belong, the board ought to state so and give a differing stance to the constituency with its reasoning.

The  IASB has done a great job getting their stance to the public, but what about the locals? Does the WDMCSB have representation with the IASB? Wouldn’t local parents like to know this? Something like, “We want you, whom we passionately serve and thank for electing, to know that we have concerns about your student’s reading as well as his passing into the next grade. Therefore, we will let our lobbyist (name here) know, and encourage you to talk to your legislator. we are monitoring the situation at the statehouse daily. Here are some facts to keep in mind when talking to your legislator. And here is contact info for him/her.”

If I were on the school board, I would be particularly interested in getting parent input on the proposed State Dept. of Ed controls over curriculum. Rural and urban schools definitely have a few different curricular needs. Any external communication, like a press release, letter to the editor, or tweet, would be great. I understand that there are many time pressures on our volunteer board. Terminating teachers, attracting the best teachers, funding, and control over curriculum would be something about which to make a statement, resulting in district parents feeling more trust and comfort in the public servants working for their children’s good. An explanation of how the proposed reforms are good for kids is definitely a topic of conversation that I’ve overheard at all grade levels in the last three weeks. We all know that each member can think and write. Surely someone could take an hour to write and run a draft among their peers, place changes in the document, then publish.

As I write this, I’m wondering if the stance of no stance and all the issues I’ve introduced in this blog have occurred because the board has no way to contact the families they serve. They have no website, no handout to go home with kids, and no social media presence. If the school board had a way to talk to constituents on their own, separate from the district employees it oversees, then it could allay concerns quicker and with more control and honesty than what they have now. Look at the city’s parallel — staff and the elect both make statements to the media. The means to communicate is here. The board should take advantage of this.

Tax credit elevates Iowa’s school choice standing

Branstad stated education was a top priority and has kept the issue visible since taking office. Legislators are now in session at the state house, and it’s school choice week.

If legislation is passed, the Dept. of Ed. will have a year to figure out how to practically enact it in the local districts. Is West Des Moines’ public school climate ready for alternatives? The board firmly committed to Walnut Creek Campus a while back, and I am pleased that the HSAP in our school district has gotten attention over the years — expanding HSAP services for area families has attracted open enrollments, the board visited the building this year. Will (public) charter schools be next?

Tax credit elevates Iowa’s school choice standing

Education reform

I read the proposal from Director Glass (get your own at educateiowa.gov). I’m curious to see if any statements come from Board members or adminstrators or union reps. Or parents. Or anybody, really. I’ve waited for the weekend to pass, and I’m sure there has to be internal talk, but maybe everyone is waiting to see where the money is coming from. Although some things do not require funding. Passing third graders, teaching pre-third graders to read more intensively, firing teachers more easily, changing teaching requirements, it’s all very good food for thought.

Thinking insiders would be wise to make a statement soon about whether we all ought to call or write our state legislators. Electable insiders could gain fans or enemies by making statements, which is my guess as to why they do not create public personae. Or they are not convicted enough. I will certainly entertain any submissions here if you would like another avenue to communicate to the public who gave you your office.

Masked or not

I’m always praying that my school district will go that extra mile to promote education, all education. I believe the opportunity to sit with the Governor to talk about his education reform was very important for parents to know. What did the district do? It buried the news in the district social media feeds.

I expected to see 15 minutes of writing sent to parents from the superintendent or from each school’s principal: “I want point this event out to you as it’s a great opportunity and aligns with our vision….” Then the announcement could have been sent to the captive audiences at 1) each school’s Facebook page, 2) each junior high and high school’s daily email list, 3) the semi-regular elementary school email lists, and 4) the virtual backpack (where the notice could live forever).

As the average, plugged-in parent, in the time it took me to write this blog post, someone at the district could have written something to turn the Governor’s event announcement into something that follows its communication policies and looked like a “good guy” that wants involved parents rather than give a half-attempt that gets lost in a news feed days after its original release.

Had the West Des Moines round table gotten standing room only response from the public, wouldn’t that have spoken well for our community?

Side note: I am quite surprised that none of my above ideas were done because I was informed by a legislator and a lobbyist that the teachers’ unions were very influential in the Governor’s Education Blueprint. Isn’t the district striving to please the union and the parents? Although I couldn’t tell from my local teachers union website that there has been any talk of reform in the past year….

Education reform, anyone?

I’ve given the school district a week to push this news out, and since we’re down to the wire, I’ll push it out, but without the reach. Although, I don’t know the district’s true reach. Maybe they don’t either. Or maybe the district admin staff doesn’t want you to know, wants to keep your input away from potentially influencing a change in their jobs, and thus preventing school choice. “Iowans hate change, but they love progress,” as Branstad said earlier.

It’s pretty common knowledge that parental involvement is key to high performing students, so you’d think that the district wants parents to know about this event. I don’t know that the daily newspaper is relevant enough for people to read, and with the captive audience and daily issuance of email from all schools, I’m really surprised that I’ve seen nothing. Maybe the admins hand-chose parents to attend and considers that an accurate representation of the community. Everyone with children should have the opportunity to know about this opportunity and to attend, listen, ask questions, and give input. 

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds will be at the West Des Moines Public Library SATURDAY, DEC. 10 AT 1 p.m. for a parent roundtable on the Education Blueprint and how to increase parent involvement to improve achievement. They’ll be in the Community Room — it’s right inside the front door. Fill the place for me — I have to work.

The West Des Moines Public Library is located at 4000 Mills Civic Parkway.

If you aren’t available in the afternoon, how about morning? Gov. and Lt. Gov. will have a town hall meeting 11:15 at Central Campus Community Room, 1800 Grand Av., Des Moines.