BOE member offers overview of efforts

I believe in holding our elected officials accountable for doing the job they asked for. With the 2017-18 school year over, I am holding myself accountable by reporting to residents what I have done in my role as a member of the BOE since my election this past November:

• Attended new member training by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education Dec. 12

• Chaired the curriculum committee monthly with a strong focus on equity

• Participated in all 10 regular board meetings

• Participated in all but one of the monthly budget committee meetings

• Participated in BOE retreat, as well as a number of special meetings on topics including the new transportation contract, hiring personnel, budget workshop with Common Council, and annual superintendent evaluation

• Served on Strategic Planning Team, participating in two out of three meetings held so far

• Served on committee to determine recipients of Professional Improvement Grant

• Attended community meeting Jan 12 and planning meeting Jan 15 on the confederate flag incident at MHS

• Attended “Once Upon a Mattress” at MHS, Minds in Motion, annual district art show, Middletown Adult Ed and MHS graduations

• Used Facebook to keep community informed of BOE work and district successes

• Read “What School Boards Can Do: Reform Governance for Urban Schools” by Donald R. McAdams, provided by Dr. Conner

I also believe in continuous improvement. While I have been very active on committees, I think it is important that BOE members be present and visible in the schools. Though I got to a few school/district events, I did not get to as many as I wanted to, and sadly, I did not get to any events at Keigwin, my adopted school.

I had planned on attending the community conversation that Dr. Conner was going to have there, but it ended up being canceled due to snow. Even so, I do not think attending that 1 event would have been sufficient. I am setting a goal for myself for the 2018-19 school year to double the number of school/district events I attend, prioritizing events at Keigwin.

Lisa Loomis, Middletown Board of Education