BOE Enters 21st Century

Right from the start, this BOE is heaving that cloak of secrecy out the window and embracing open communication in a 21st century sort of way. Posted yesterday on the Norwalk Public School web site is the list of board members and their committee assignments. Maybe someone will pick up the phone and call Migdalia Rivas to let he know what they are. For the rest of us:

2009-2010 Board of Education Committees
Finance Steve Colarossi, Chair Jack Chiaramonte Glenn Iannaccone Susan Hamilton	Negotiations Jack Chiaramonte, Chair Jody Bishop-Pullan Sue Haynie	Policy Steve Colarossi, Chair Erin Halsey Migdalia Rivas Susan Hamilton
Curriculum Sue Haynie, Chair Erin Halsey Migdalia Rivas Heidi Keyes	CES Representatives Sue Hamilton Migdalia Rivas	Adult Education Representative Migdalia Rivas
Norwalk Facilities Commission Glenn Iannaccone	Mentoring Liaison (Human Services Council) Erin Halsey	Joint Consolidating Committee Glen Iannaccone Jody Bishop-Pullan
NEF Representative TBA	Norwalk ACTS TBA

Meanwhile what was Rivas so afraid of when Steven Colarossi wanted to suspend the rules to add an agenda item. Let’s take a look at what thos proposed motions were:

Motion offered by Steven A. Colarossi, Erin Halsey, Sue Haynie and Heidi Keyes: Be it resolved that, effective within ten days of passage of this Motion, in order to promote greater public awareness and transparency of the work of the Board of Education, all materials provided to Board of Education members in anticipation of Board of Education meetings (including Superintendent Reports and Action Items and so-called “Friday Reports”, but excepting those items which the Superintendent believes are confidential and not subject to public disclosure) be made available electronically on the Norwalk Public Schools website in a readily accessible format and that appropriate links to this information be provided on the homepage of the Norwalk Public Schools.

This one was rather simple, a vote to place backup material online (with the exception of confidential material) so that anyone could access it from the Norwalk Public Schools web site.

Motion offered by Steven A. Colarossi: Be it resolved that a standing Communications Committee of the Board of Education is hereby formed and that the Chairperson of the Board of Education is authorized and empowered to appoint a chairperson and members to serve on said committee which shall work to investigate and advise upon (a) the means of promoting greater communication with and among the public, the Central Office administration, the schools and the members of the Board of Education, (b) the accessibility by the public of non-confidential information made available to the members of the Board of Education, (c) the publication of agendas, reports and minutes relating to the meetings of the Board of Education and its committees, and (d) such other matters as are referred to said Communications Committee by vote of the Board of Education.

This one even more earth changing, to create a new committee that focused on communications. Ya know, the thing that every report and study in the last few years cited as the biggest problem facing Norwalk Public Schools. I’m sure that these motions will get made in the future, but it is reprehensible that a move toward transparent government was hampered by a member of the board whose claim was that they weren’t transparent.