Upcoming BSD School Board Meetings:  January 14th and January 28th, 2010

It seems that due to fast-approaching deadlines for decisions concerning Whatcom Middle School [deadlines acting Superintendent Sheri Brown has instituted], that the time for the larger Bellingham community to once again attempt to provide input, is SOON. 

Despite repeated [and respectful] requests to be included at the decision-making and discussion table, parents and community members continue to be shut out.  The Bellingham Herald has repeatedly stated that a few members of the WMS community will be allowed at the table; however, the articles/blogs also state that the BSD Central Office Administration will also be present.  This begs the question:  How many folks representing WMS are at the table—and how many “others” are at the table?  Why might this be significant?  Because if the token WMS representatives allowed at the table are simply present to appease the masses, how much influence are these folks likely to have ?  As has been mentioned before, this shut-out of folks most directly affected by the impending decisions, is in direct opposition to the BSD’s strategic plan which clearly articulates the value of diverse and inclusive input from families and the larger Bellingham community.

This question still needs an answer:  Why are ALL stakeholders not represented at the table? 

One answer that the Bellingham Herald provides are claims that the decisions now to be made are so technical, that people not in educational circles are not capable of participating in said discussions.  Curiously, there are large numbers of educators, as well as other knowledgeable professionals, within the WMS parent ranks.  According to the Bellingham Herald and the BSD website, a few options, culled from the District survey and further reduced by these closed room discussions, are soon to be presented to the residents of Bellingham, for limited view and input.  A final 2-year decision for the WMS students, families, and community, is scheduled to be nailed out/decided by the end of January. 

Unfortunately, as the generation and selection of said options is limited to the few folks allowed into the room for the deliberation of WMS’s future, the only apparent opportunity for input are now the two January School Board meetings. 

Critical questions need to be asked and answered SOON:  1) What exactly is the insurance payout amount—and where is it coming from?  According to insurance representatives within the Bellingham community, standard practice would indicate that the BSD’s insurance coverage will initially shell out funds—and the BSD’s insurance company will in turn use litigation to recover their monies from any parties deemed responsible for the fire.

In other words:  The amount or figures of coverage are available.

And as we are talking about public funds, this information qualifies for all public disclosure requirements.  As taxpayers, we have the right and responsibility to ask for and receive full and accurate financial information. 2) If off-site locations for housing WMS for two years are to be thoughtfully and intelligently considered, figures for all costs need to be carefully calculated and made public as well.  For anyone running budgets of businesses or even households, we all understand that you do not attempt to make financial decisions without thorough, accurate, and current financial figures/estimates.  Further, if assimilation or ‘embedding’ WMS students is to be considered, the money necessary to do so needs to also be carefully examined and articulated.  The assumption that assimilation [and all attendant costs of portables, utilities, transportation, extra facilities costs, etc.] will ‘automatically’ be cheaper than some of the off-site options [or non-existent, if some promoters are to be believed]—may well be an erroneous assumption.  With competent and dedicated accountants and lawyers within in the WMS parent group, surely this information can be verified and substantiated—if made public as law supports. 

The message:  The hope is that the BSD and attendant representatives utilize the rich and valuable resources represented by this school population. Please let us remember that we need to encourage and cultivate public confidence in our elected and public-servant/service representatives.  This process can be successful and community-building—versus divisive and damaging—if both sides simply remember to treat one another with the respect and trust that ought to be the starting point of any [high-stakes] negotiation. Missteps can be costly for years to come.

If it truly takes a village to raise a child—then let us acknowledge the villagers.

Our children are our greatest resource.  Surely, they ALL deserve the best that we can collectively and creatively provide.