by Ana Rosario and Susie Welty
We attended our first-ever school board meeting a couple of days ago, on July 18th 2024. This bond issue has been our initial foray into civic engagement, and we are in awe of the power of voice.
Originally from the Dominican Republic and Ecuador, we were both grateful for the experience. Living in a place where decision-makers want to hear perspectives and are open to addressing the public is a rare privilege. Feeling like we could also be heard was impactful and emotional.
We arrived at the school board meeting prepared for a confrontation because we believed that the FPGB was being overlooked and not given fair consideration. We arrived at 6:45 for a 7:00 pm meeting, and the overflow room was filled. Most of the FPG families were in the hallway watching the meeting with a 1-2 minute delay. This experience seemed to match what we were feeling. We were frustrated by how things were unfolding. Then the meeting began. There were some comments that referred to the dual language program as a vanity program that should expect to be moved around and accept whatever was available, which also upset us, demonstrating that many don’t understand FPGB’s primary mission. The FPG families were once again the last to speak (because we didn’t arrive early), and we all expressed the same sentiments about hearing from our community, examining data, and not giving in to the loudest voices. One mom in particular stood up and spoke in Spanish. Her comment in Spanish was courageous and highlighted that some people affected by the discussion cannot fully participate.
When the board began to deliberate, we were still expecting to be frustrated, but something unexpected happened. We were impressed! We had never witnessed such open government discourse before. The board members engaged in a thorough and thoughtful debate, considering various perspectives and demonstrating a genuine commitment to fairness and inclusivity. They acknowledged that more input was needed from the FPG community. It was a truly eye-opening and inspiring experience for all of us.
We are grateful to live in a community that values education and has a thoughtful and diverse school board embodying the progressive values of our area. The board’s commitment to ensuring that all children succeed, regardless of their background, is truly inspiring. Listening to their comments at the July 18th board meeting gave us a real perspective on how thoughtful they have been and how hard their job is.
Witnessing public discourse in our community is heartening. This openness is vital in addressing the complex issues facing our schools, such as outdated facilities, resource allocation, and programming. It’s easy to fall into an us-versus-them mentality, especially in our politically polarized country and the presidential elections ahead of us. However, it’s crucial to remember that we are all more similar than different. Our children all deserve better facilities, and passing the school bond is a step toward achieving that goal.
Some FPG parents, including us, have expressed strong opinions about the potential negative impact of relocating FPG to the city’s outskirts. While our views may have merit, we acknowledge that we haven’t had access to the data needed to form a well-informed opinion. Additionally, it was pointed out that a significant representation of Latinx voices have not been included in the conversation, and their perspectives would add valuable context to the numerical data presented in the slides.
That’s why it’s essential to engage with all families, listen to their concerns, and look at data. The school board’s new Option 5 plan addresses many previously raised concerns, demonstrating their responsiveness and commitment to community feedback. Their commitment to engage the FPG community, provide translation at future meetings, and transparently share data showcasing the analyzed impact of relocating on families is truly commendable.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities for civic engagement in our community. Let’s pass the bond and continue to listen to FPG families to ensure we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. We live in a great place, and together, we can make it even better for our children.