Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Public education town hall’s focus
SPRINGDALE — People need to get to know their local legislators better if they want to see a change in public education, members of a town hall panel said Saturday.
The event was held at The Jones Center. More than 60 people attended.
The town hall is part of a statewide initiative by Arkansas Citizens First Congress, said Carol Widder, with the League of Women Voters of Washington County, who helped organize the event.
“While the Legislature is in session, we want to show our support for public schools,” said Widder, a 32-year teaching veteran. “We want to make sure every community has viable public schools to attend.”
A panel discussion included state Rep. Megan Godfrey of Springdale; Elizabeth Lyon-Ballay, former charter school teacher and blogger; John L Colbert, superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools; Anna Beaulieu, president of the Fayetteville Education Association and teacher, and Arisbeth Johnson of Arkansas United. Bill
John Colbert (left), superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools, talks as fellow panelist Anna Beaulieu, president of Fayetteville Education Association and a teacher at Fayetteville High School, listens Saturday during the Northwest Arkansas Education Town Hall at The Jones Center in Springdale.
Kopsky, executive director of Arkansas Public Policy Panel, moderated the discussion.
Godfrey, a Democrat who represents District 89, said even though the Legislature has been in session a short time, advances in K-12 education are being discussed. Godfrey also works for the Fayetteville School District.
She said there’s a bipartisan effort to improve pre-K and workforce readiness programs. Money is an issue to be dealt with, she said.
Being informed about what the Legislature is doing is key, she said. She encouraged people to connect with their local legislators on social media.
“Tell those stories from home,” she said of how programs such as pre-K have helped a student. “Those stories resonate.”
Beaulieu agreed with Godfrey about reaching out to legislators about public education issues.
“You have to tell them what you think is important and why,” she said. “We need to be proactive in putting our voices out there.”
Rep. Denise Garner attended the town hall. She sat in the audience, but gave some briefs remarks from the podium at the end of the town hall. Garner, a Democrat who represents District 84, serves on the Public Education Committee.
“Make sure the governor and his staff hear your concerns about education,” she said.
Michelle Wolchok, an elementary school teacher in Fayetteville, said if legislation impacting business was being discussed, the business community would be asked for their input. She said the same needs to happen when legislation impacting public schools is being considered. Getting that voice from educators is important, she said.
“The government is here for the community and our schools serve our communities, she said.
Kopsky said there are four areas of concern for public schools that include promoting student-centered learning environments such as pre-K; to attract, develop support and retain more high-quality teachers and administrators, to support infrastructure and resources that students need and shared accountability for meeting the needs of all students.
The panel discussed a wide range of topics over two hours including state money, meeting the needs of every student, the need for transparency in public schools and the impact of charter schools.
Mary Ley, chief executive officer of the Arkansas Arts Academy in Rogers, on Tuesday said there’s room for all forms of education — public, private and charter — especially in Northwest Arkansas.
The arts academy is a public charter school with 1,046 students from 21 communities. Some parents drive their children an hour and half each way so their children can attend the school, Ley said.
“We all have a distinct purpose,” Ley said. “Public schools haven’t always had the arts as a main focus. We do that.”
Saturday’s town hall was sponsored by the League of Women Voters Washington County, Arkansas Citizens First Congress, the Arkansas Education Association, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families and the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas.
Other town halls are planned in Jonesboro, Pine Bluff and Little Rock, Kopsky said.
“I thought it was great,” Kopsky said of Saturday’s town hall. “I enjoyed the conversation, and I think we covered a lot of ground.”