Platform of the Committee of Parents, Teachers and Community for Albany Schools.

By Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes, Sherri Moradi and Miriam Walden representing Parents, Teachers and Community for Albany Schools, pledge to the following platform.

Work with the administration to completely overhaul the budget creation and financial reporting process, building financial control systems (in line with FCMAT recommendations) that provide accurate and timely information.

Make information available to public/community routinely in lucid, lay terms and raise the level of community understanding and involvement in the budgeting and financial processes.

Work to develop long-term plans (5- and 10- year) to guide the district and move beyond a crisis-oriented environment. Build the kind of community trust and collective process that will allow us to find long-term sources of financial support for schools together. Promote Open Communication and Shared Decision Making

Be visible, accessible, and engaged with all constituencies. Explain why (and how) decisions are made, so as to promote community understanding.

Actively recruit/solicit involvement from diverse populations and under-represented constituencies for involvement with the district.

Conduct school board meetings in ways that honor individual and community input, time and energy. Respect and Value the Work of Teachers and Staff

Attract and retain high caliber teachers and staff by maintaining salaries at a level that is at least the average of surrounding districts and providing good benefits.

Create a meaningful collaboration between the Board, teachers, staff and the community.

This platform was created through listening to the ideas and wishes of the parent and teacher community among Albany schools, as expressed at four community meetings in the spring. Parents and teachers were invited to articulate their hopes for, and frustrations with, education in Albany. A committee of 20 parents and teachers took notes at these meetings and then met to draft a platform, which represented the stated wishes of the community.