Jul
19
Superintendent’s Corner: July Communication
July 19, 2007 | | 2 Comments
Superintendent’s Corner
July 2007
Communication
Casual conversations provide opportunities. Several times people have said they know I am busy and do not want to take much of my time. The opposite is true – I would rather have a discussion with an individual regarding their concerns and ideas because an opportunity may afford itself at some point in time down the road to resolve their issue.
Communication at the school district is critical to the success and operation of the school system, whether that communication is a casual encounter in the supermarket or at a ball game, or a more formal encounter with a one-on-one meeting with a parent or concerned citizen who has an issue they would like to discuss.
Several times, these casual or formal conversations have led to improvements in the overall district and maybe even surrounding the school. For example: during the Superintendent’s Entry Plan, a discussion was held with a teacher to talk about his concerns about the district. His concerns stressed the lack of a sidewalk on King Street where a large percentage of students walk to school. He explained to me that the students would walk in the street or in the private yards due to a lack of a sidewalk in that vicinity adjacent to the school. After listening to that teacher’s concern, the information was filed away to be used at another time, not knowing when the opportunity to use that information would arise. At one point, a casual conversation was being held between me and the Borough Manager. During that conversation, the King Street issue was brought to the Borough Manager’s attention. He understood our concerns and said that he would look into the matter. Lo and behold, several months later, the Borough Manager was able to find a grant for safe ways to school. The Safe Ways to School grant was for funds coming from the state to allow areas that were not safe for kids to walk to school to be converted as a safe way for kids to get to school. The Borough Manager quickly pursued that grant with a letter of support from the school district. Within months, the grant was awarded to the Borough and a partnership began between the district, the borough and the community to put in the sidewalks to provide a safe way to school.
This is one of several examples that have occurred during the past several years with conversations and communications that I have had with individuals who reside in the community.
At some point in time, if you have a concern, please call or email me to discuss that concern. If you do not get an immediate response from me, please be patient to allow me to get back to you and discuss your concerns or issues.
Comments
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Thank you for moving to a blog type format. I am looking forward to being able to provide some feedback and ideas on your educational topics.
Dr. Clark,
This is a great idea. It also gives an opportunity for individuals away from the area the opportunity to see activities and concerns from our hometown area. I hope you get the feedback you are searching for and people of the school district take advantage of the rare opportunity to have their opinions known to the people who can actually make the changes. Best wishes for the upcoming school year.