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LETTER: Let’s Increase SC Transparency Through Community Engagement - by Marlena Gilbert

Dear Groton Voters,

My name is Marlena Gilbert. As a candidate for the Groton-Dunstable School Committee in the May 2016 Groton Town election, I offer you some insight on what our school committee could improve upon and some proposed methods to accomplish those improvements.

I believe that our school committee has the ability to increase transparency through community engagement and communication.

• We provide community members with information through but not limited to social networks, social media, print and digital channels so we better accommodate today’s hectic work and family schedules. I have successfully begun this work through my blog - www.marlenasminutes.com and will continue to do so as a school committee member.  

• We increase SC attendance at Finance Committee & Board of Selectman meetings. As a school committee member I would attend other governing board meetings & advisory board meetings to learn and maintain quality relationships with other boards.

• We offer an easily accessible, affable communication bridge between parents/students and the school committee board/administration. 
I believe that we can better serve our schools and town budget planning by examining budgets timelines and researching options to produce additional revenue and decrease spending.

• We work with school administration; Board of Selectman, Finance Committee and Town Manager to research possible opportunities that may help improve the budget timeline & process; as town budget includes both quality municipal services and quality schools.     

• I participated in this discussion at recent Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting when the subcommittee discussed establishing a sustainability committee. I suggested that prior to establishing the sustainability committee we hire a professional consultant firm with a background in education to evaluate our district. This will increase transparency by providing taxpayers with a clear picture of how well our district is currently being run as well as offering ways to improve our efforts to decreasing expenses and increase revenues; as there is always room for improvement.

I believe that our school policy & curriculum should be reviewed and compared to other BIC “Best in Class” school districts to ensure our students are provided with the guidance, structure and the hand up needed to succeed today.

• We work with our administration to research what policies & guidelines are currently being observed by the BIC “Best in Class” districts, how it benefits those districts and compares it to our district.   

• We work with our administration to research what curriculum offered in the “BIC” districts; how it is benefiting those districts and compare it to our district.     

• As the governing body for our school district, the school committee is ultimately responsible for progress of our school district. By taking a more collaborative position that involves quality research, we would increase ownership and accountability.  

This concludes my series of press releases offering information about my personal/professional background, volunteer experience and future vision for improvements. If you missed an earlier press release and would like to obtain additional information please visit my website at www.gilbert4sc.com

Thank you for the opportunity to earn your vote,

Marlena Gilbert

Groton-Dunstable School Committee Candidate 2016

Groton Herald

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 610, Groton, Massachusetts 01450
 

Office
145 Main Street, Groton, Massachusetts 014510
[Prescott Community Center]
 

Telephone: 978-448-6061
 

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