Any School Board Politicians On Here???

[Deep C]

Looking for some insight here from some one with school board experience. ..

Mind you we are talking about one of the lowest rated school systems in a state thats ranked 48th or so...

Our public system is made up of several type schools. You have the standard schools which are generally designed to warehouse the medium to slow learners. Then you have what they call charter schools that seem to cater for students who don't quite fit main stream. Then you have the magnet schools which cater to the exceptionally bright students...
Mini is currently in a magnet school and even within a gifted program within that school. Going in she was promised by the school and its staff that if she worked hard and maintained a solid gpa that she would continue on to their high school which specializes in her field of expertise...
Well come acceptance time this year, they did a little shuffle... Instead of the promise they had made, they instead did a lottery... While all her friends with lower gpa's were accpted , she wasn't drawn. I wonder how this can be so I dig into it... They went to lottery as opposed to taking the qualified for space reasons. The school isn't even at full capacity but someone in their wisdom decided to reduce the number of students so they wouldn't face reprocussions if they do reach capacity or go over???
Not only is the school under capacity but there is a former college building on the site that is niot being utilized. The college has offered to lease it out for far less than their current facility costs... A pittance. The school board refuses to spend a dime yet are doing a 400 million dollar face lift on the school board building???
That crap is just wrong. Instead of holding up their end of the bargain about a hundred kids are getting bumped. Kids that worked hard and earned a spot in that school are now being bussed 25 miles to a "D" rated school with a 17% illiteracy rate among its seniors!
I have fought a lot of fights through the years with town halls and NMFS and other political entities but have no clue how to go about addressing a school board in an effective manner. Perhaps someone could help. Do I try the intelligent approach and try to reason? Do I go the "squeaky wheel" route? Does my daughter face problems if I go at them wrong? Any insight would be appreciated...

[Sea Draggin]

Most of the time you have to work two angles with them. One you have to work through the county commisioners, which give them their money. Its a tricky tight rope. The other thing you can do is work the elections to get your man/woman on their. You get pretty good results if you can accomplish this.

[gradywhite273]

ah the political arena, now you are talking my language, these would be my moves in accordance, first , get as many of the youths parents, that are not being transfered as they should, together as a group. On school boards, they are set up in different zones or regions, find out who is in your region, then what is there term , are they up for re election. approach that individual as a group if possible. See what they have to say. If nothing happens findout if they are republican or democrat, amazing how much power the local committeeman and/or area leader has over these reps to the schoolboard. approach the appropriate party leaders, sometimes its amazing what happens. I repeat this, do not hire a lawyer till you absolutely have too, lines of communication will shut down so quick if a lawyer is involved.

This is basics, as much aggrivation you can cause, will help to turn the tide. Calls from state senators offices to the local school district make educators very nervous. Federal legislators are even better.

[Deep C]

I'm working on our local rep as we speak. He knows my standing within the party so that will send a clear message... They are keeping the list of "waitlisted" students "confidential" so finding all those parents is tough. The number is clear. There are 115 students not admitted at this point. I can understand not wanting to fund for additional class room construction or portables. The college building could be utilized though which would increase capacity by 400 easil. Whats the most confusing thing to me is that if all the students "waitlisted" were admitted that would still only bring the school to 90% capacity...
The schools they want to send these kids to are at 110-135% capacity . The one Mini is slated for is a genuine cesspool. Even those who graduate with honors from that one are slow to be accepted to colleges because of the piss poor ranking it holds... The one that she was going to attend had like a 92% accptance rate.

[gradywhite273]

because they are kids , you may not be able to find out their names, however the parents names i believe have to be release if requested under the sunshine laws and right to know.

[Deep C]

The scumbags are hiding behind the kids... It'll take a court injunction to get parents names.

[gradywhite273]

or just maybe an ad in the local paper , or maybe a quick story by a writer who doesn't appreciate the policies of the current schoolboard

[Avenger]

Is there a PTA in this town? You probably don't have to track the parents down. They'll come to you if you can network well enough to get their attention.

Or you can do what gradywhite said. Damn I type too slow.

[Deep C]

I'm thinking more of TV and maybe 60 minutes...

[Tunatyme]

Deep, my sister went through the same BS here in Delaware. She hasn't said it but I think that was the last straw for her. She moved to a state that handled the kids in a differant light and my Niece is in honor classes doing much better. We all fight the stupid red tape and goverment BS but when it comes to the kid I know you will fight the good fight.