Board member kicks off forums

Friday, Oct. 17, 2008

On the second Thursday of each month, Abell has scheduled time to sit and talk with parents on education issues in an informal manner at the Unique Sports Academy in Waldorf.

The first session was Oct. 9. The session ran from 6 until 8:30 p.m. During that time community members and even Charles County Board of Education members shuffled through. School board Chairman Donald M. Wade and member Charles E. Carrington stopped in to see how the sessions went.

Carrington said he saw the announcement in the paper and wanted to come out to see how things were going. As for whether or not the sessions are a good idea, Carrington said "I have not formed an opinion."

Wade deferred his comment until after he has had an opportunity to meet with other members of the board.

Abell was the topic of a school board discussion in March 2007 for posting on a blog regarding education issues and board decisions. Board legal counsel told the other members she was free to do so. Abell continues to exercise her First Amendment right and blogs along with meeting with the public once a month.

Abell said this is a good opportunity for parents to bring up any questions or concerns they might have and perhaps "come up with some solutions to some of the problems we're facing here in the county."

She said she came up with the idea to have these meetings when she realized she would be at her daughter's cheerleading practice for two hours each week anyway. Abell's thought was to make herself available to the public for education questions during the time that she was already going to be at a public venue.

Latanya Holland, mother of two school-age children, came to the first session last week to get an idea of what the sessions would be like.

Holland said Abell had the right idea to hold the sessions at Unique Sports Academy.

"Go where the kids are because more likely that's where the parents are," Holland said.

Holland and Samantha Walker, also a parent of school age children, spoke to Abell about the monthly sessions and also about an organization they hope to get the school board's support on called Reaching Out Now, which serves to raise money for families and students in need.

According to Abell's Web log, six parents attended the first session at varying times. Topics of discussion included recycling, germ control, submissions for policies, the Nanjemoy Environmental Center, school lunches and procedures for out-of-zone attendance.

Walker said the session with Abell was "awesome" because it gives parents and community members a chance to speak one on one with a board member for an extended period of time.

At a regularly scheduled Charles County Board of Education meeting, those who wish to speak before the board have a three-minute time restraint.

The next session to meet with Abell will be held Nov. 13.

If you go

Charles County Board of Education member Jennifer S. Abell will hold question-and-answer sessions with the public on the second Thursday of each month. The next session will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Unique Sports Academy, off Post Office Road, Waldorf.

gphillips@somdnews.com