Last week, I sent this email to the community as a heads-up about a special Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) school board meeting that was called the night before (four days before school was to start).
The Traverse City Record-Eagle followed up with a great story about that meeting in last Sunday’s paper.
In a significant move, the school board unanimously voted 7-0 to spend $335K and reduce the proposed number of split classes from twelve to four.
I don’t profess to understand all the ins and outs of TCAPS’ ~$125M budget (yet), but after that emergency meeting (and unanimous vote to change course), it’s obvious we need to keep asking questions about the “how” and “why” we allocate our dollars that guide a lot of these important decisions.
Things I’d like to see happen (that align with my priorities):
• allow parents and community members to subscribe to board meeting notices and packets on the website (apparently, you can email Stacey and she’ll add you to the list but it would be better if it was more obvious on tcaps.net/board)
• share board meeting materials at least 24 hours before meetings
• boost the public’s understanding of the mission-based budgeting process that happens in the spring (mentioned during the meeting)
• review (and improve) the classroom size, composition, overload, split policies and process (especially in our Title 1 schools)
I love talking (and learning) about this stuff, so if you have any ideas, suggestions, or questions, I’m always down for a walk, bike ride, coffee, or chat on the phone.
Onward.
Ty
TY FOR TCAPS 
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