Decorum at School Board Meetings

The people who speak at school board meetings should be anyone who wants to speak from the heart, can express themselves articulately, and have something to say. But beyond that, we ought not put this huge pressure on speakers. You know, we all have good and bad days, and sometimes we're on and sometimes we're not. You may do a good job, you may not. Who cares. Show up and give it a shot. We need numbers. We all need to show up. Because it's the right thing to do. For the children.

The most important thing, in my arrogant opinion, is that we act professional, in our phone conversations, and our conduct in person. With everyone. By behaving that way, we present ourselves as the amazing assets to public education that we are. So if you're nervous about speaking, we can help you relax before the meeting. I'll tell you some jokes, get you laughing. Whatever. I mean, what-ever (hand goes up at a 90 degree angle). The worst thing you could do to yourself would be to stay home due to fear. This isn't about us. This is about the children. We need you. The children need you. The school board members are just like us. The way to win them over isn't through accusations of corruption (don't say it!), it's to show them that that we love to teach and our area of concern is improving student achievement in this district. Every child deserves the opportunity to receive an education.

source - Ron Fletcher - Area Vice President for Substitute Teachers - CWA local 9588