Zac P.
Controversy in the Community Ten Things a School Board Can Do to Help Stay the Course By Paula O’Loughlin, Director of Partnerships and Professional Learning at Equity Alliance MN
Paula O’Loughlin
14
JULY–AUGUST 2021
Boundary changes. Distance learning. Equity initiatives. School closings. Budget cuts. There is no shortage of critical decisions that school boards need to make. Even without the emotional and physical toll of a global pandemic, many decisions that come before the board quickly become a lightning rod by striking deep division and mistrust within a community; and social media has made it easier than ever to build like-minded coalitions of community members who possess the will, the skill, and often the financial resources it requires to wage a well-orchestrated, sustained attack on the work that school boards need to do for their students.
Here are 10 things a school board can do to help themselves stay the course:
So how does a school board effectively recognize and listen to the voices of its most vehemently opposed constituents, while also staying the course so it may accomplish its goals of improving the learning conditions for each and every student? It most certainly requires a host of varying characteristics, including courage, tenacity, and an unrelenting focus on students in order for board members to stand strong and united in the midst of fierce opposition – no matter how small the cadre of voices may be.
2. Understand and validate any fear that may exist.
1. Identify common ground. No matter how contentious an issue, and regardless of how diametrically opposed opinions may be, there is almost always a shared value, belief, interest, or goal that everyone can agree upon. Invest the time to connect with people in a way that enables you to build empathy, increase understanding, and recognize one another’s humanity. I believe it is much more difficult for someone to vilify you once they realize you are a fellow human being who shares the same hopes and fears they do.
It is only human nature for people to react with strong emotion when they feel that they, or someone they care about, is at risk of losing something that is valuable and holds significance in their lives. Whether boundaries are being redrawn, a high school elective is being eliminated, or the school start times are changing, the fear of change and the fear of the unknown is real and deserves to be validated. Do your best to unearth whatever fear
MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION | JOURNAL
