Mountain View School District forum conveyed openness to community's ideas Mountain View School District forum conveyed openness to community's ideas (December 15, 2000)

As an admittedly difficult year for the Mountain View School District draws to a close, the board and Superintendent Trish Bubenik took an encouraging and highly constructive approach to bringing the community together last week.

Over 100 people gathered in the Graham Middle School library for the first in a series of conversations about school issues, and the welcoming attitude of district officials was an unmistakeable part of the atmosphere. The district officials essentially invited local residents in for an informal evening of talk, with coffee and cookies, and enlisted the aid of a professional facilitator to keep discussion on track so that all might be heard.

The results are cause for optimism. Local residents aired a variety of concerns, from staffing in the classroom to the complexities of the budget, and teacher compensation. Questions and criticisms were raised, and the answers given were the frankest heard in the district this year.

The evening provided time for discussing topics that often can't be dealt with at length at the regular school board meetings. To continue the dialogue, another meeting is set for Jan. 29.

From Bubenik on down to the newest district teacher and the newest parents taking their child to school for the first time, this has been a year of challenges in the district. Last week's meeting was a big step in the right direction, an important indication that the district is listening to its community, and that it wants to continue to listen.

Bubenik and the board of trustees have set the stage for improved relations among the district, staff and the families the district serves. It's the right way to go.