An Action Plan to Hear All The Voices
By Katherine Massopust—
PERTH AMBOY — At the 4/16/13 Special BOE Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Janine Walker Caffrey stated that sometimes you hear only the voices that are loudest. There are complaints not everyone is being heard. “The K12 Insight initiates how and why each person feels and constitutes an action plan. It gives us the power to make informed decisions. It’s the only way to improve. It schedules listening activities. The plan costs $4 per student per year which comes to $42,000 per year. It’s part of community focus. Sometimes they do (surveys) with us. Sometimes for us. They are at your beck and call to work with your issues. We will use them for one year.”
Board Member Dianne Roman asked if any local districts in the county used this service.
Board President Mark Carvajal answered that Edison is using this service. “It is not just one survey. Right now we have a lot of surveys. If we get so many surveys, then you just don’t fill them out. With them (K12 Insight), they come up with a survey constructed for us. It’s a 3rd party. I’ll ask Dr. Caffrey to get feedback from Edison.”
Dianne Roman stated, “The tool used is multilingual.”
Board Member Israel Varela stated, “Guide me on this. It’s a good idea what you are trying to accomplish. We were emailing each other to no avail. You put a Kabash on it. As they say, how we react to these individuals. Only the bold ones come out and speak up. We all know people are fearful. We can make this work. I am looking forward to something like that.”
Board Member William Ortiz wants to know how does K12 Insight engage with community leaders. Board President Mark Carvajal said, “They will work with us to schedule a year of events.”
Dr. Caffrey said if you want more information go to their website at www.k12insight.com. “This does not replace people speaking at public meetings. More voices will be heard that can be heard at a Board Meeting.”
No formal action has been taken.