It’s always been really important to me that I’m involved with everything. Being as social as I am, I like to be in the center of the action. I’m a planner … I’m a list maker … and although I don’t have to be the “HBIC” (that’s KY speak for “in control”), I do like being part of the process.

If you’ve read this blog for more than one hot second, you know that I’ve struggled {tremendously} with not being able to be a part of the PTA at my children’s school. Work schedules on my end and meeting schedules on their end are not a match made in heaven.

Last fall as I was browzing my school district’s website, I saw that they were looking for community members to take part in a night called “Conversations That Count”. I didn’t really know what it was about, but it was very clear that it would only be for one night and it would be at 7:00 PM. I registered and was chosen.

All interested parties were divided into groups. My group of 8 met in someone’s home. The hosts provided a full meal and we spent the evening discussing topics that were chosen for us by the district. (One of our members was the moderator and was also charged with reporting back to the main office regarding our conversation.) Our only rules were to be completely honest and be respectful of other people’s opinions. My group had a city councilman, a teacher, a district professional, a community member and 4 parents. It was an awesome experience.

From that point on, I have kept a close eye on the district website. It holds a wealth of information and a plethra of opportunities for parents. Many parents miss these postings because they are only looking at information for their campus and not the district as a whole!

In April, I served on an 8 week committee to put together organizational strategy (district-wide) for the next 5 years.  Talk about really learning the inner workings of our schools. And, in getting to set priorities for the future, I feel like I’ve done a great thing for my community.

Last week, Don and I attended a meeting that gave an in-depth discussion of the buildings and maintenance that will be funded in a November bond election. To be honest, I didn’t know much about a bond election. I only knew that one means (usually) that our taxes are about to go up. The only thing I was absolutely sure of going in was that new schools would need to be built and that we would, more than likely, be rezoned.

The presentation that they gave was incredible. A team of 30 community members have served since December working alongside board employees to make sure that our suburb continues to have not only great schools, but also high functioning facilities with as little waste as possible.

I was so angry when a man seated across from us bashed the process the entire time. He huffed and he puffed and he complained until I nearly had to smack his hand. (Don did great in keeping his mouth shut to this bully, by the way.) The man came in with an agenda that was self-serving and with a bad attitude. Although they answered his concerns several times in the presentations with facts, background information, and projections that went out for the next 12 years … he couldn’t seem to break free of the fact that he was outnumbered.

I really wanted to say to him “Everyone had an opportunity to be on the committee. If you felt THIS strongly about what was going on, why did you not take part?”

I’ve learned through this process that if you REALLY want to be a part of something and if you REALLY feel strongly about your position, there is always a place for you to serve. For me, I thought the PTA was the only place that I could have a voice in the schools. Little did I know that there was a place – a perfect fit for me – where I can have an even greater impact. I just needed to look outside of what I already knew.

And now that I’ve been able to be part of the process, for not only my child, but for every child in my community, I’m even more convinced that I live in the greatest school district in the US.