I want to thank the coalition of city councilors and candidates who wrote to the Gazette earlier this month to highlight the need to engage parents with young children in the democratic processes of our city.
I think this especially applies to School Committee meetings and I would love to see Northampton move in this direction. As the parent of an active 8-year-old, I know the challenges that come with trying to be civically involved with a child — bedtime routines and board meetings tend to be at the same hours.
And yet, the decisions of the School Committee affect the lives of parents with school children more than most. As the coalition suggested, access to child care is an accommodation that can work for many. Having different meeting times and days of the week, even on the weekend, can also accommodate parents with different schedules.
Additionally, it should be the responsibility of each School Committee member to be deeply engaged in the community, listening to their constituents of all ages, and understanding the priorities and shared values of our community. Many elected officials even hold community “office hours” to make sure they are accessible.
We need to make sure all voices are heard. It is a matter of great importance for the health of our democracy and the responsiveness of the decisions of the Northampton Public Schools.
Emily Serafy-Cox
Northampton
The writer is a candidate for Northampton School Committee in Ward 3.