Tonight: BISD Board Meeting
Hi folks,
This is a reminder that tonight is our first board meeting. At the very bottom of this email I have reposted our comment template and speaking tips if you need some guidance. Speaking or not, we just need you to show up. We have around a dozen people committed to speaking tonight and a dozen more just showing up. I'd love nothing more than if we could DOUBLE those numbers by tonight.
Meeting Details
Thursday, April 30
5:30 PM for public comment sign-in (closes at 5:45 sharp)
BISD Board Room, 9530 NE High School Road
The BISD Board Room is located off High School Road between Bainbridge High School and Commodore Options and adjacent to the lower gym. Map
If you plan to comment by Zoom instead of in person, you must sign up by 4 PM today by emailing Lani Chaffee at lchaffee@bisd303.org.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87976381907
We need you.
We just launched a community voices page at intentionaltechbi.org/voices. It collects some of the powerful comments many of you wanted to share when you signed on. If you have a moment, read what your neighbors are saying. This is why we need to show up tonight. This is who we are showing up for.
Public comment happens at the start of the meeting. You do not need to stay for the whole meeting. I won't be. Showing up for ANY amount of time tonight matters.
We are approaching 400 supporters. Whatever you can bring tonight, in person or in spirit, we are grateful.
See you in the room.
-Jordan and the Intentional Tech Committee.
Note: Preceding the board meeting tonight there is a community meeting to discuss the proposed schedule changes for next year. If you are already attending that, hang around for the start of the board meeting if you can. If you were just planning on coming to the board meeting but could make both, please try to.
P.S - We have made a temporary alliance with the dark side and now have both a Facebook page and an Instagram profile. We will be able to give more frequent updates there and we will continue to share your comments and stories in those channels if you wish. If you are not on social media, GOOD FOR YOU, don't start now.
Public Comment Scaffold (April 30 Board Meeting)
Aim for about 250-300 words. That is roughly two minutes spoken. When you are speaking they give you a 1-minute warning and you're told to stop at 3 minutes. There is no bonus time.
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Who you are. One sentence. Your name and your connection to BISD or the community.
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Your experience or observation. A story, a concern, a moment, or a question from your perspective. One thing, in your voice. Specific is stronger than general.
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Your ask. Land at least one of our two asks for the board, in your own words:
- Direct the district to remove tablets and laptops from routine K-2 classroom instruction before the next school year, except for assistive purposes.
- Direct the district to publicly answer the 12 questions that have been emailed to the board, before the Strategic Plan is finalized.
- Your close. One or two sentences. Thank the board for their time. Something like "I am asking these questions for our children. Thank you" works. Your own words work better.
A few things that help
- Write to about 275 words. Two minutes goes faster than you think, and three goes faster than that.
- Read it aloud at home before the meeting. Time yourself.
- Bring it printed.
- Slow down when you speak.
- Do not name individual teachers, students, or classrooms.
- When in doubt, make it sound like you. The board hears you better that way.
If you want a second set of eyes, reply to this email, we are happy to read drafts.