I admit to mixed feelings regarding the newest “improvement” group in the community that is collecting ‘anonymous’ comments regarding how to improve the Gateway School District. The school district and its employees are always open to suggestions for how we can better meet the needs of our students, improve our communications with the parents and communities, operate more efficiently within the confines of state and federal regulations, and better serve our constituents. I believe this is evident throughout the district and at all levels as we provide multiple ways for input. These range from the required, such as school and special education councils to the voluntary, based upon interest such as the various booster clubs and to the unique groups that provide input for district improvement (the communications council and the educational foundation). In addition public meetings such as budget, school committee, and Gateway 2025 seek input from the public. The district puts out significant information to the public through a variety of sources and has dedicated email, phone, and blogs to solicit input and suggestions from everyone; has completed surveys of various groups (current students, graduates, parents, community members, staff) and even has a group dedicated to providing input on specific topics through the “Key Communicator” process.
In addition we have school staff that participate in the Gateway Towns Advisory Committee (GTAC) and over the years have garnered much information regarding improvements in the district’s financial operations from this informal group of town officials. Thus, I don’t believe the district or I are opposed to having another group collect information to provide to the district in a positive manner looking towards improving the district and helping us to better serve our primary clients, the students. Even the process of allowing, or keeping, information on whom is providing suggestions private isn’t necessarily off-base as the district also has several ‘anonymous’ ways that people can provide feedback. My mixed feelings about the “Hilltown Citizens 4 Education” is based upon their most recent article in the Country Journal and the previous statements by some people on this group regarding their negative approach to improvement, their belief that Gateway is a sick school system, and their penchant for disregarding evidentiary processes.
At the last GTAC meeting some members expressed their concerns regarding how this group was approaching their tasks around education and even suggested that their activities may not fit within the purpose of GTAC to which one of the education subcommittee members responded that they would be fine with not being part of the larger GTAC group. I see the group still associates itself with GTAC despite the fact that some individuals who were signed up to be on the GTAC education subcommittee have never been contacted about any of the meetings.
In the end, if this “Hilltown Citizens 4 Education” provides suggestions that can be implemented within state law and regulations and support the district’s students, then any negativity or misinterpretation of facts could potentially be offset. My concern is that in a time of decreasing numbers of school aged children in Western Massachusetts, coupled with increasing choices for completing education, that unfounded allegations and negative perceptions may further hinder the district from maintaining and increasing our enrollment, paint an inaccurate picture of the district’s successes, and potentially make their worst case scenario more realistic. As is evident by the ongoing changes the district is making to improve our student experiences and buttress student success both in school and out, the district is willing to listen and implement positive suggestions wherever it’s possible to do so.
