Reconnecting Communities and Schools
As school board members and administrators you are trusted to know the needs, values and priorities of the communities you serve. So when was the last time you reached out to create true dialogue within your community about the future of education?
The OSSBA is launching a strategic community engagement initiative to work with local communities, school boards and educators to create and influence the future of public education in Oklahoma.
Community engagement is a process that directly involves people in decisions that affect them. It is a process that encourages dialogue and discussion, builds relationships and common ground, and allows individuals to have ownership and involvement in the issues and challenges facing our education system and communities.
Local school board members often face tough choices as policymakers. By sharing those tough choices within our communities, people will develop a shared responsibility for guiding decision making and taking action concerning education, both at the local and state level.
School boards that engage their communities effectively not only build local support, they also gain partners in maintaining high student achievement.
The OSSBA is committed to helping school districts who are interested in pursuing community engagement as a mechanism for addressing the issues and challenges you face. We know that our schools can no longer “go it alone” when it comes to addressing the social problems that are not of our making. We know that many communities have lost sight of the idea that schools benefit the entire community. And we know that the relationship we DON’T have with our citizens hurts how they perceive us.
If you are interested in being selected as a pilot district for OSSBA’s community engagement initiative, please click here.