As a candidate for the Mason City School board, I've had the privilege of engaging with our Mason Schools community. Throughout our campaign events, one theme has consistently emerged: our community wants to know what the board is up to. This sentiment underscores the importance of transparency in our decision-making processes.
It's not enough to merely claim transparency through tools like Board Docs, ICRC TV, and "open" work sessions. We need to ensure that our efforts are truly accessible and engaging for our community and not falling flat. Sometimes, the universe sends us feedback, and it's our responsibility to pay attention.
Here are three of my ideas to enhance transparency and strengthen the bond between our board and the community:
Transparent Decision-Making: Before any consequential vote, we should provide our community with clear and concise bullet points explaining how we arrived at this decision. By shedding light on the decision-making process and the alternatives considered, we can foster better understanding and trust.
Meet People Where They Are: In this digital age, social media plays a pivotal role in communication. Following board meetings, we should regularly update our social media platforms with "3 Things You Should Know" summaries from the night's meeting. This approach will help make complex topics more accessible and encourage community engagement.
Board Feature in District Newsletter: To ensure information reaches all corners of our school community, we should consider adding a dedicated article or section to the current district newsletter each month. This article would provide updates from the school board, highlight key decisions, and showcase the board's commitment to transparency, all within the existing framework of the district newsletter.
Transparency is not just a buzzword; it's a fundamental commitment to our community. By implementing these strategies, we can bridge the gap between the board and our constituents, fostering trust, understanding, and collaboration. Together, we can build a stronger, more transparent, and inclusive Mason City School district.
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