4x4 roundtable will include all stakeholders

Buenas yan Hafa Adai!

Tomorrow evening, I will be hosting a roundtable discussion on the 4x4 bell schedule. DOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez and I have had several discussions about this, and he was successful in convincing the board to delay implementing it for another year.

However, this does not solve the ongoing issue that some teachers and parents have. While this is not a new concept, a single board action produced a negative reaction among teachers.

I want to make it clear that the roundtable is not to place blame on anyone, but rather for all stakeholders to share their concerns and hopefully, in the end, make a conscious decision to work together to create a positive outcome.

After meeting and speaking with Mr. Fernandez, I am reassured that he will bring a fresh and dynamic perspective to DOE. He shared ideas that he wants to implement which will benefit the most important people who are at the heart of education—our children.

Mr. Fernandez said that he will be there to listen and he hopes to work with the schools to come to an amicable solution.

To ensure that the roundtable is conducted in a respectful manner, I have set down some ground rules which will give everyone the opportunity to share their concerns. The board will speak first, followed by the Department of Public Works, andfinally, teachers, parents and students. A time limit for each speaker will be implemented for the sake of time.

The biggest and most important challenge is to listen unprejudiced and with objectivity when the dialogue begins. We may be confronted with questions to which there are no immediateanswers, but my hope is that parents, teachers, and principals will help guide Mr. Fernandez as he moves forward in making decisions and recommendations to the board.

We all know that many good changes have been brought about in the schools because of stakeholder's empowerment. By listening to and respecting the views of all, schools have been able to bring about a positive attitude with regard to our children's future because we are equal partners.

Establishing rapport with parents, teachers, school administrators and the board is hard work, often emotionally demanding, and fraught with the danger of misunderstanding. But it is and will continue to remain a very important part of our work, because only when we work in partnership with them can we translate our common vision into reality.

Saina Ma'ase