The amazing thing about a tragedy such as WMS burning, is that such circumstances can actually bring to light many things that are positive aspects of community—and conversely, bring to light things that may need re-examining.
One thing that may need closer examination and might initiate present and future talks is the issue of clear and equal representation.
Many folks in the greater Bellingham area erroneously assumed that the Bellingham School Board has current members representing the multiple neighborhoods of our school system. For example, in most school districts, the board must have members from distinct areas of a community. Within Bellingham, this might look something like a representative from the north end, another person from mid-town, another from Sudden Valley or the Whatcom lake area, another from the south end, and perhaps a member at large. As well, if a member resigns, a new member from that specific boundary area must be found.
Instead, we have discovered that the majority of our school board resides in the south end of Bellingham.
What does this mean? Well, for one, our present school board is most familiar with the area they live in. And if many of them live in the same area, their collective knowledge is fairly specific—and perhaps fairly limited.
For another, the very pathways these members tread, does not include equal representation of neighborhood walks, forums, and associations. How can a member of the south end really understand the neighborhood concerns of areas they rarely spend time in—and make decisions for real people that they do not even know, even in a limited capacity? As we all know, it is often through neighborhood associations that citizens get to know one another, share information, and truly understand the demographics, concerns, challenges, and unique aspects of a given area. As we currently see, our school board is then dependent on being fed ‘information’ about parent groups, community groups, teacher groups, student groups, etc. Which of course begs the question: Where do they get their information?
The “adopt a school” routine is nice in theory; however, rarely do the school board members [if ever?] purposely call meetings where they actively solicit information from various community neighborhoods/groups. Face to face contact is limited or non-existent is many cases. As Lowell has so eloquently expressed, their desire for a community school is based on the very pathways their parents and children tread. And as we can all certainly understand, this is true not only for the Lowell community, but for ALL schools which lie in our boundary areas. [By the way, the misinformation about Lowell being a school that children only walk to is wrong. They in fact do bus children to Lowell elementary—and they deal with the challenges that were raised by supporters of WMS perhaps utilizing the site, by having students get on the busses on one block-and get off the busses on another block—all within easy distance of the actual school].
As decisions are being made not only for WMS, but for all schools that may be impacted by these decisions, we must ask the question: How much accurate information does the school board really have—and where are they getting it from?
In such extraordinary times/circumstances, it might be wise to initiate small ‘town-hall type gatherings’ where school board members who do not live in the affected areas, purposefully sit down with real people and listen to real conversations. They might find out such things like: the number of college professors, practicing k-12 teachers, and the many current stay-at-home moms holding teaching certs within the Columbia neighborhood is unbelievably large. It might even be the largest concentration of educators within the city of Bellingham. This says nothing of the independent business owners, doctors, lawyers, and other professional people married to or associated with these educators. It is not that the Columbia neighborhood is somehow special and different; but rather, this example is being used to illustrate the particular demographics of just ONE area of Bellingham.
Why might this be important? Because when decisions are being made for people who are largely invisible, and the decision-makers are operating on assumptions, misinformation, rumor, speculation, etc., true harm may ensue. Our elected and “representative” leaders have an obligation to gather information as close to the source as possible. When special meetings are being called within neighborhoods to deal with questions/concerns concerning various schools within the BSD, it stands to reason that some member of our school board should be present.
Perhaps it is time to review our school board selection/election processes, and ensure in the future that our school board truly represents the diversity and wholeness of the entire BSD.