By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
While the district is always trying to improve and increase communication with community members, this year, it hopes to create a committee of parents, teachers, residents with no children in the schools, and business owners to gather more input on school issues.
”The board’s Communications Committee has been discussing this for some time,” Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Lisa Antunes said. “Through our discussions in the committee meetings over the past several months, this idea was discussed.”
The board and administrators scheduled an interest meeting for those who want to join the committee dubbed the Community Partnership Network at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Auten Road Intermediate School. Since the meeting is meant to introduce the concept, those attending can opt out of being part of the network, Dr. Antunes said.
A presentation Dr. Antunes gave at the Monday Board of Education meeting cited statistics from the National School Public Relationship Associations, and stated that increased communication improves district function.
”Essentially, these statistics show the majority of people who pay taxes don’t have school-aged children,” she said at the meeting. “We want to shift the culture to have this shared responsibility. The benefits truly enhance the community for everyone.”
While budget issues will inevitably be a portion of the groups’ discussions, other topics will be covered during the meetings, too. The topics covered at the meetings will depend on the groups’ interests and abilities of those participating. Presentations by administrators are not anticipated either, unless the groups request it.
”It will definitely not be only related to budget issues,” Dr. Antunes said. “In the contact form that we will be asking people to complete at the end of the meeting, we ask about their interests and if they have particular areas of expertise.”
”It really depends upon the make-up of the group, as well as the interests and expertise shared,” Dr. Antunes added. “While I do not foresee specific presentations by administrators, unless the group asks for something specific, it will consist of topic discussions, working sessions, information sharing, and perhaps even rumor control if necessary.”
Those who cannot get to the Oct. 6 meeting but are interested in the network can contact Dr. Antunes at [email protected].

