Over the past year, I have tried to communicate a variety of issues about Stanley-Boyd Area Schools through my articles, ranging from school finance and accountability to student learning and the opportunities we provide. My goal has been to help our community better understand how our schools operate and the decisions we make.
While I hope these articles have been informative, I also recognize that communication needs to go both ways. Our students, staff, parents, and community members have questions, ideas, and perspectives that are important to hear.
With that in mind, beginning this month, I will be hosting a monthly District Discussion. These meetings will provide an opportunity for anyone interested in our schools to ask questions, share ideas, and discuss issues affecting Stanley-Boyd directly with me.
My hope is that most of our time will be spent having informal conversations. Each meeting will have a planned topic and a brief agenda, but there will also be time for participants to bring forward other questions or suggestions. Occasionally, I may provide a short presentation to help explain a topic or share information before opening the discussion.
Our first District Discussion will focus on the district budget and will be held on Wednesday, October 28, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room. With our annual budget hearing taking place just two days earlier, I thought this would be a good opportunity to answer questions and discuss the financial decisions facing our district.
One of the challenges of public education is balancing different needs, expectations, and available resources. Hearing different perspectives helps me better understand the concerns and ideas of our community while providing an opportunity to explain the considerations that go into operating our schools. Some questions may require additional information or discussion, and we can revisit those topics at future meetings.
I hope you will consider joining us for a District Discussion. Whether you have a question, an idea, or simply want to learn more about Stanley-Boyd, you are welcome to attend.
Go Orioles!