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Messmer Column: Ensuring Parents' Voices are Heard
Local Sources - In this week's Messmer Report from Indiana Senator Mark Messmer (R - Jasper), Messmer stressed the importance of parents' voices in the education of their children.
Locally elected school boards make many important decisions that affect the quality of our K-12 schools in communities across Indiana. Over the past few years, some parents have expressed increasing concern regarding the lack of opportunities for public input at school board meetings.
In response to these concerns, this session I supported Senate Enrolled Act 83 and House Enrolled Act 1130. These new laws require school boards to allow comment from individuals who are physically present during an in-person meetings. They also specify the comment period must occur before the school board takes final action on a topic.
These new laws also preserve the school board's ability to run their meetings effectively by ensuring they can still maintain decorum and set time limits in order to complete their business in a timely manner.
By no means does the passing of this legislation mean our school boards were doing a bad job, as most take public comment on a regular basis. SEA 83 and HEA 1130 simply ensures all school boards are held to the same standard when it comes to providing public comment.
According to a study by the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools, regardless of family income or background, students whose parents are involved with their schooling are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school.
Parents provide the first steps in educating a child, and their input is of substantial importance. Democracy works best when there is an open line of communication and everyone is actively engaged. SEA 83 and HEA 1130 will ensure the public has full access to their elected school officials, and will provide an avenue for citizens to express their thoughts in a way that works for everyone involved.
As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-382-9467
In response to these concerns, this session I supported Senate Enrolled Act 83 and House Enrolled Act 1130. These new laws require school boards to allow comment from individuals who are physically present during an in-person meetings. They also specify the comment period must occur before the school board takes final action on a topic.
These new laws also preserve the school board's ability to run their meetings effectively by ensuring they can still maintain decorum and set time limits in order to complete their business in a timely manner.
By no means does the passing of this legislation mean our school boards were doing a bad job, as most take public comment on a regular basis. SEA 83 and HEA 1130 simply ensures all school boards are held to the same standard when it comes to providing public comment.
According to a study by the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools, regardless of family income or background, students whose parents are involved with their schooling are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school.
Parents provide the first steps in educating a child, and their input is of substantial importance. Democracy works best when there is an open line of communication and everyone is actively engaged. SEA 83 and HEA 1130 will ensure the public has full access to their elected school officials, and will provide an avenue for citizens to express their thoughts in a way that works for everyone involved.
As always, feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-382-9467