Opening the lines of communication

Want to know what the West Hempstead Board of Education is up to? Well, they want you to know.

At a special business meeting on Jan. 25, board member Cynthia Di Miceli raised the possibility of starting a board newsletter or similar item that would improve communication and transparency, and make the board more accessible to West Hempstead taxpayers.

Di Miceli, speaking as an individually elected board member, told the Herald she wants to reach the point where “the community knows we’re out there, we’re on top of things.”

At the meeting, board members discussed ways in which they could relay information to community members, as well as members of the press, particularly during budget season. But for Di Miceli, it’s about more: “It’s important that the community sees us,” she said.

Board Vice President Walter Ejnes has already created an interactive board webpage on the school district’s website, whufsd.com. It includes photos of the seven trustees at various district events, a section outlining the board’s goals for 2010-11, information about board meetings, schedules, minutes and agendas, and presentations made to the board.

Now the board members need to find a way to generate more traffic to the webpage and to reach members of the community who are not Internet savvy. The easiest way to do this, the board determined at the meeting, is to work with the district administration to publicize its activities and direct people to the webpage.

Superintendent John Hogan would essentially be responsible for posting to the webpage photos and captions of board members at local events, such as the district’s January science fair, where middle and high school students presented their work. He would also update the community on board activities, like the board’s recent walk-through of the all five district school buildings as part of its annual inspection process.

At the meeting, Hogan suggested possibly including a section to The West Hempstead Educator, the district’s seasonal newsletter that is mailed to district residents, where board updates would be listed.

For Di Miceli, opening the lines of communication between the Board of Education and community members has been a priority since she launched her election campaign for the board seat last spring.

“By giving the community more information,” Di Miceli said, “it gives them more power to ask questions and get involved.”

In order to further empower community members, Di Miceli wants the board to consider changing the way it presents its agenda to community members. Whereas now the agenda lists docket numbers and brief, general descriptions, Di Miceli would like to see it offer more detailed information.

“It has nothing to do with being transparent — this board is very transparent,” Di Miceli said. “But it gives people a chance to get involved before instead of after.”

So far, Di Miceli’s push to make the board more interactive has been well-received, she said.