• You have the right to any information you require (district policies, your child's student files, meeting minutes, etc.).  Ask for copies from the district office or school.  
• First, try to work things out with the staff.  Then move on to the principal, the superintendent and finally the school board.
• Keep all correspondence and phone calls positive and encouraging.  You won't get very far if you point fingers and demand results.
• Document the steps you take and keep everything in chronological order.
• Be very clear and state the results you want.  
• Avoid writing letters to the editor.  You may alienate the very people who can help resolve your concerns.
• If you decide to take your issue to the school board, do your homework ahead of time. 
• Contact each board member by phone.  Tell them who you are and what you want and ask for their support.  This gives you  advance notice about what to expect at the meeting and helps prepare the board members for the upcoming discussion.  If you can gain support from 3 of the 5 board members, you have a very good chance for a positive outcome. 
• Contact the board secretary and ask her to place your item on the agenda for the next board meeting.  This step is very important!  Only items on the agenda may be voted on during the meeting.  (There is a portion of the meeting that is set aside for public comment and you will have your time to speak.  The board chairman will thank you and move on to the next person.)  If there isn't time to be placed on the agenda, you can ask a supportive board member to make a motion to add it to the agenda for discussion during the meeting.
• Provide copies of all supporting data to the board members, the superintendent, the board secretary and the press.
• If there are other people who have the same issue, work together as a group.  This is very powerful.
• During the board meeting, show support of people who speak out in favor of your issue by clapping and cheering in a polite manner.
• If you find your temper flaring up, step out of the room until you can gain your composure. 
• It sometimes takes many months for the board to make a decision.  Persistence is the key.  Go to every board meeting and work session until your issue is resolved.  And always stay after their executive sessions... they sometimes will vote on issues at the end of the evening.
• If all else fails... get your pen out and let the community know of your concerns.  Then, try again in a few months or a year. 
• Persistence, Persistence, Persistence!

For additional help and advice on working with the district contact former board member Kate Taylor katetaylor@clatskanie.com

When you approach the school board, remember the fruitcake law as you plan your presentation:

1 person   = a fruitcake
2 people   = a fruitcake and a friend
3 people   = troublemakers
5 people   = let's have a meeting
10 people = we'd better listen
25 people = our dear friends
50 people = a powerful organization