Board discusses enhanced communication, relations

The Willow Springs school board discussed enhanced communication and relations between the community,  superintendent, and board at its regular meeting August 8.

The topic also had been addressed during a special meeting held July 27. 

Superintendent Dr. Marty Spence said the first meeting was a service provided by the Missouri School Board Association since Spence is a new superintendent and was facilitated by Jerry Lee on MSBA’s behalf. 

“The meeting was intended to strengthen the relationship of the superintendent and the board of education. We focused on the duties and responsibilities of both and how we could help each other,” said Spence. “We all knew each other, but it was a good reminder of the best way to accomplish our collective goals of serving the families of Willow Springs.”

Lee had asked the board to review the highlights of that meeting at its regular meeting on August 8 as well, said Spence. 

One of the questions asked at the July 27 meeting was “How do you want your governance to be perceived?” The board reviewed its goals and answers to that question:

• Receptive to public input

• Approachable

• Transparent

• Effective

• Forward thinking (with a vision)

• Reflective of community values

• Responsible

Among the other items discussed was the need for enhanced communications and engaging with the community.

“I think we need to figure out a way to get out there,” said board member Matt Hobson. He suggested groups of two or three board members attend events together for public availability, such as parent-teacher conference nights, fall festivals, and the like. “We need to figure out a way to cross that bridge…but stay in the right lane as well.”

Spence said the topics at hand will be discussed throughout the school year as they are connected to the school improvement plan.

“This will need to come up at multiple board meetings,” said Spence.