Communication/Clarity/Transparency

By Jennifer "Jenn" (Bair) Bernabei

I would like to see more transparency around bond proposals, district budgets, and overall communication.

In addition, I would like for there to be improved communication with our teachers and parents regarding District decisions. For example, I could find nothing on shared spaces being added to Neil Cummins prior to the bond passing or construction beginning. The web site stated only modernization of wings A,B, and C and listed essential fire and earthquake safety upgrades etc. ...enhancing classroom technology infrastructure. While the finished product looks great, I don't believe the "shared spaces" were communicated to parents or teachers, and consequently I'm not sure they were desired or necessary. When you pour new foundations and add doors between the shared spaces, it costs more money, and as a taxpayer, I want to understand how and why these decisions were made and whether it was the best way to spend our bond dollars? Are our teachers happy with their new classrooms? Is art now in the classroom, and if so, how does this affect our teachers time for planning lessons or working with smaller groups? How does sound work between classrooms? These are details that I would like to have communicated prior to construction to make sure there is agreement that this is the best possible floor plan for our schools, the most flexible, and the best use of our bond dollars. Nevertheless, the outside spaces look fabulous, and necessary upgrades were achieved, so we should be proud Hawks!