Martha Sciremammano, BCSD Board Member, asked ASI to let everyone know about BCSD e-News.

e-News is an e-mail system that allows the District to send information to anyone interested.  The sign-up process is easy and can be done via the www.BCSD.org web site.  e-News does not overload your inbox with e-mails.

ASI suggests that anyone that wants notification of meetings that would be of interest to the general Brighton community sign-up for e-News.

The following was e-mailed via the BCSD E-News on January 13th:

The community is invited to an open forum with the members of the Brighton Board of Education on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room, Administration Building, 2035 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. There is no specific agenda for the forum, just an opportunity for residents to have some informal open conversation with the members of the Board of Education. For more information, contact Marvin Sachs, President, Board of Education at 473-9731.

ASI Commentary:  Scheduling an open forum with the Board is, of course, a very worthwhile action.  However, ASI is extremely concerned with the timing and publicity.

#1.  Why are we only getting 7 days notice?

#2.  Since this announcement was sent only via the BCSD E-News, the BCSD Community (admin, teachers, and Parents of students) ALONE will know that this meeting is scheduled.  The larger Brighton Community will not be aware of this opportunity.

If the BCSD Board really wants to get input from the larger Brighton Community, then it must make a greater effort to publicize the event.  For example:  Post it on the electronic signs at the High School, the Library and the Fire Station;  Put up a banner at the TCMS corner; Post colorful flyers at 12 Corners businesses; Post an announcement in the local community newspapers (assumes more than 7 days notice).

This lack of notifying the greater Brighton Community is a re-occurring issue.  It happened with the budget vote.  It happened with the Superintendent Survey.  The BCSD Board seems to believe that an E-News blast is sufficient to “get the word out”.  They do not seem to understand that E-News only goes to the School Community.  Maybe that’s the intent(?).

Again, if the BCSD Board is honestly interested in input from the Brighton Community (Vs. simply the School Community), then it will make the effort to more aggressively publicize events that effect all Brighton residents and schedule the events with reasonable advanced notification.

New Year’s resolutions are generally about personal matters: diet, exercise, smoking.  But what about the public sphere? What possible individual resolution could make a difference for an entire community?

The answer is easy.  Please add it to your list.  VOTE ON TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009. By casting your ballot on the proposed Brighton School Budget for 2010, you will exert considerable influence over public events of direct consequence to you. Here’s why:

• The Brighton Public School tax is the single greatest expense (about 70%) on your total property tax bill, which, even if you rent, you must pay.  Individuals, and the town as a whole, cannot afford the trend of ever rising local taxes.
• Currently, about 5% of Brighton residents vote. In a vote as small as this (about 1500 people turn out) your vote most definitely counts.

Mark your calendar now.  Local control of our public schools is a precious right in our free society. Use it or lose it.

P.S. If you would like a reminder to vote, and occasional brief updates on what ASI is doing to get out the vote, simply send an e-mail to:

TheTeam@ASIBrighton.org with the words “Keep Me Updated” in the Subject.

ASI-Brighton will NOT give your e-mail to any other organization under any circumstances.  You may cancel your ASI updates at any time with an e-mail and the words “Cancel Updates” in the Subject.

ASI needs your help!  Join us!  We have a lot of work to accomplish and we need your ideas.  Send an e-mail to: TheTeam@ASIBrighton.org.