MONROE - Monroe parents, Larry Brown is listening.
Brown, the district administrator for the Monroe school district, announced Thursday he is planning five focus groups for parents over the next month. The groups will be a chance for parents to discuss issues facing the school system with Brown.
There's no set agenda or list of issues Brown expects to discuss.
"It's not for me to talk," he said. "It's for me to listen."
To that end, parents are free to bring up any issue or topic concerning the overall picture of Monroe's educational system and its schools. Matters regarding specific situations with individual students will not be addressed in focus groups, Brown cautioned, as those matters should be dealt with through the student's teacher and building administrator.
The groups will consist of up to 10 parents and Brown. The size limit is designed to make sure all parents can be heard, he said.
Having the series of meetings is an important part of keeping open communication between parents and administration, he said.
"Parents are our main stakeholders," Brown said. "As a new district administrator, it allows me to meet more parents and be more in touch."
Besides developing a better understanding of parents' issues and perceptions, Brown said a Parent Advisory Council could result from the groups.
"There has to be the parent interest there," he said, adding he envisions a council comprised of possibly two parents from each of the district's five schools.
Focus groups will be:
• Wednesday, March 26 at 8:30 a.m.
• Thursday, April 3 at noon
• Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m.
• Monday, April 14 at 5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 26 at 8 a.m.
All focus groups will meet at the District Administrative Center on the third floor of the Monroe Public Library.
To sign up for a group, call Cindy Rupnow at 328-7109. For more information about the focus groups, call Brown at 328-7171.
Brown, the district administrator for the Monroe school district, announced Thursday he is planning five focus groups for parents over the next month. The groups will be a chance for parents to discuss issues facing the school system with Brown.
There's no set agenda or list of issues Brown expects to discuss.
"It's not for me to talk," he said. "It's for me to listen."
To that end, parents are free to bring up any issue or topic concerning the overall picture of Monroe's educational system and its schools. Matters regarding specific situations with individual students will not be addressed in focus groups, Brown cautioned, as those matters should be dealt with through the student's teacher and building administrator.
The groups will consist of up to 10 parents and Brown. The size limit is designed to make sure all parents can be heard, he said.
Having the series of meetings is an important part of keeping open communication between parents and administration, he said.
"Parents are our main stakeholders," Brown said. "As a new district administrator, it allows me to meet more parents and be more in touch."
Besides developing a better understanding of parents' issues and perceptions, Brown said a Parent Advisory Council could result from the groups.
"There has to be the parent interest there," he said, adding he envisions a council comprised of possibly two parents from each of the district's five schools.
Focus groups will be:
• Wednesday, March 26 at 8:30 a.m.
• Thursday, April 3 at noon
• Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m.
• Monday, April 14 at 5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 26 at 8 a.m.
All focus groups will meet at the District Administrative Center on the third floor of the Monroe Public Library.
To sign up for a group, call Cindy Rupnow at 328-7109. For more information about the focus groups, call Brown at 328-7171.