GREENFIELD — In an effort to make the School Committee more accessible to the public, its members discussed the possibility of creating some type of public forum — separate from regular meetings — where parents could address committee members in a less formal environment.
“I think the idea is to have listening sessions, something that isn’t a School Committee meeting but the purpose is to gather input from members of the community, particularly parents,” School Committee member Kate Martini explained during a Wednesday meeting at the John Zon Community Center.
After a conversation on the subject, members agreed the next step would be to work with district administrators to send out a survey to families, as well as School Committee members, on preferred times to hold one of these forums. Those survey results are expected to be shared at the committee’s meeting in May.
The conversation, in part, stemmed from the interest of School Committee member Elizabeth Deneeve, who recalled conversations she had with community members during her campaign to be on the committee in November.
“Most everyone said they wanted a way to talk to the School Committee … in a longform sort of way,” she said. “The thing that was most important was the time. … (School Committee meetings) are too early in the day, and there is no child care. … A lot of people were saying if they could come and make public comments at a time that was reserved just for public comment, they would utilize that and appreciate that.”
Martini agreed with Mayor Roxann Wedegartner, who also sits on the committee, that some aspect of these forums could be dedicated to particular issues of interest.
“I would also like to leave some time open for parents to raise whatever issue is of concern to them, because for me, that is the point,” Martini said.
She added that she wants to be “mindful of equity issues.” She noted that Greenfield Gardens, Oak Courts and Leyden Woods each have a community room.
“I don’t know whether the logistics of those particular spaces would work for that,” Martini said. “But I would like if we could look into that.”
School Committee member Glenn Johnson-Mussad suggested scheduling two sessions at different times and in different locations, with one that’s more of an “open call” and another that is geared toward a specific topic.
“None of us know what really works unless we try different things,” he said.
Deneeve said the most important thing is offering community members an opportunity to be heard.
“I think part of it is to be able to open our mouths and eyes and ears, and just be there as people,” she said. “It wouldn’t have to be a full School Committee, it could just be a few people who have the time.”
As for the possibility of offering child care during these sessions, Chair Amy Proietti had concerns about the liability to the School Committee.
“I think we start small,” she said. “I think we start by just trying to have one … so you can get some momentum, work out the kinks. Let’s not bite off more than we can chew. Let’s try a couple of things and find a strategy that works.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne