Classroom transparency focus of NPS board meeting
NORFOLK, Neb. -- Parents and their involvement in their child's education was the focus of Monday's board of education meeting.
Monday saw Norfolk Public School review its parental involvement policies. These policies are put in place, so parents understand what their child is learning at the school and parent involvement.
The policies included parents' access to curriculum materials, when parents can observe class events, when students can be excused from class, and more.
During the public hearing portion, most of the audience focused on transparency between parents and teachers.
Many in attendance asked for more to be done for parents to have access to materials, and to ensure the curriculum was not pushing an agenda.
"It takes a lot of time obviously," Ken Ramsay said during the public hearing. "You (parents) have to know what you are looking for as opposed to having that curriculum...open for the public. I'm sure there is a way to make upgrades...to give comfort to a lot of the parents that say, 'What are you actually learning?'"
Superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson said publishing the entire curriculum online was not possible for the school website.
Still, many continued to preach the importance of parents being aware of what's going on in the classroom.
After the public hearing, board members reviewed the sole change to the policies. That change was to make excessive absenteeism for students based on daily attendance.
The board voted unanimously to approve the revisions in a 6-0 vote.
The next NPS Board of Education regular meeting will take place on June 12. Because school is no longer in session, the meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. without a study session.