To the editor:
Recent events in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District are a reminder that more of us may need to make it to at least one or two School Committee meetings when we can.
Like many parents and caregivers, I know it is not easy. Evenings are full. There is dinner, homework, childcare, bedtime, work, and all the ordinary demands of family life. Most of us cannot attend every meeting, and no one should feel guilty about that. But these meetings matter.
They are where budgets are discussed, priorities are set, contracts are approved, and decisions are made that affect our children’s classrooms, the services they receive, and the people who care for and educate them every day. Too often, many of us only become aware of these issues once the consequences are already in front of us.
As budget concerns have come into sharper focus, many in the community have been left asking how we got here and whether more questions should have been asked sooner. Those are fair questions. Public oversight is not obstruction. It is part of responsible governance.
It is also important to recognize that teachers, staff, and Dr. Ricca are not responsible for the current budget crisis. They are the ones continuing to show up for students every day. Much of the concern in the community has stemmed from actions and decisions at the School Committee level, which have created confusion and made a difficult moment even harder.
Public comment is one of the most important tools the community has. It gives parents and residents a chance to ask for clarity, insist on transparency, and speak up in support of teachers, staff, and students. A thoughtful public comment can change the tone of a meeting, lift up voices that might otherwise go unheard, and remind elected officials that the community is paying attention.
A strong school system depends not only on good educators, staff, and school leaders, but on an informed and engaged public. We may not all be able to attend every meeting, but if more of us show up when we can and speak when it matters, we can help build the accountability, transparency, and support our school community needs.
Kevin Fish
Sandisfield
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