Members of the District 55 School Board and Supt. Larry Horton met with various community groups last week to talk about distribution of information in schools.
The district is concerned about the amount of time required to distribute materials for various youth groups, including the Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Good News Club and other organizations.
Supt. Horton wanted to learn more about the groups’ needs and explain the district’s needs then develop a solution that will meet those needs and be fair to all groups.
“The amount of requests upon the schools to distribute materials is becoming significant and interfering with the education of our students,” Supt. Horton said. “Time is money, and that is one thing we have little of. Although not huge, approximately $4,500 in man-hours (about five hours per month per school) are being expended on the distribution of non-school-related materials.”
Supt. Horton suggested a couple of solutions.
Each school could have a central information rack where flyers could be distributed. Inside each school’s newsletter, groups could use space to let parents know information is available on the rack when they are scheduling events.
Supt. Horton also proposed the idea of a community youth group forum, perhaps on Back to School Night, where all youth groups could set up displays and provide information to parents and students.
Members of the groups present, were interested in using the newsletter to announce information. They also were interested in the forum, perhaps two nights a year, once at the beginning then again after school starts up again in January.
Group members suggested allowing access to schools during assemblies, with a couple of minutes to explain their programs to students.
At the same time, groups remained interested in accessing students with their flyers.
“I would think the return for your dollar is pretty great,” Ben Dahlenburg, a Boy Scout leader, said.
The Scouts teach students many things that are not or cannot be taught in schools, Jim Gourley said.
Supt. Horton agreed that the programs are valuable, and getting information to students is important for recruitment.
“Kids involved in positive activities are far less likely to participate in negative activities,” Supt. Horton said. But “we need to do that in a way that doesn’t jeopardize the district either.”
Other ideas included a “Friday folder” concept where handouts would go home in a folder for parents one day a week, and a committee to review handouts going to children.
The School Board will further discuss the issue at its meeting Monday night.