Petition in support of a Citizens Advisory Council on Communication

We the undersigned, intend to form a Citizens Advisory Council in order to address the need for open andhonest, two way communication between the leadership of the Albuquerque Public Schools and its interestholders.Our petition is that the leadership of the Albuquerque Public Schools recognizes our standing by offeringappropriate support of our endeavor.

Whereas there is a need for community involvement in the Albuquerque Public Schools, and

Whereas that involvement is predicated on effective and efficient two-way communication between thecommunity and the leadership of the APS, and

Whereas

developing a comprehensive internal and external communication plan with an evaluationcomponent that involves the community

is one of the 8 District Goals, and

Whereas the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education Code of Ethics calls for the

establishment of open, two-way communication process with students, staff, families and all segmentsof the community

, and

Whereas, School Board Policy K.01, reads (in significant part);

he Board of Education recognizes that constructive study, discussion, and active participation by citizens are necessary to promote the best program of education in the community.

o encourage this participation, the Board enacts the following policies´

;

Citizens Advisory Councils will exist to provide for greater community involvement in theeducational planning process,

and

Whereas, APS Administrative Procedural Directives read in significant part;

Citizens Advisory Councilswill exist to provide for greater community involvement in the educational planning process.

Our expectation of whole hearted support seems well justified.That support by need must include;1. The assignment of a senior administrator having firsthand experience with previous councils, to act as atemporary liaison between our group and the leadership of the APS.2. A presentation and ³workshop´ conducted by the aforementioned administrator and staff, on formingsuccessful and productive Citizens Advisory Councils.3. Publication on the District website, of all records pertaining to previous councils; including but notlimited to agendas, minutes, membership lists, publications and newsletters.4. Access to one of the District¶s community rooms for meetings outside the workday and perhaps thework week.5. The provision of independent professional facilitators to run and record meetings including Districtassistance in making audio and video recordings of the meetings for posting on its website; much as isdone with regular school board meetings.We respectfully request a response in writing,To; the members of the Citizens Advisory Council on Communication exploratory committee and care of apscitizensadvisorycouncil@gmail.com