A Brilliant Board Meeting

This afternoon, the Chicago and Vanderbilt cohorts came with a parent apiece to the West Contra Costa Unified School District meeting at the Lovonya Dejean Middle School. I arrived at 5:50, about 40 minutes prior to the start of the public section of the meeting. The other ILCers filed in over the next few minutes, and Don arrived promptly at 6:00, exactly as he had said he would. We met to discuss how to make sure we stayed within the strict five minute time limit, as well as talk about the photo we would take afterwards. We then dispersed to unroll the banner, find our seats, and see whether or not we could snatch one or two fig bars from the side table.

The meeting began with roll call of the board members, followed by the pledge of allegiance. The first few issues to come up were simply motions change the order or date of discussions. After those had passed, the requests to address the board began. First came a group which publicly thanked great teachers for their service and presented them with awards. The second group to speak was a committee composed of students, teachers, parents, and district staff working to improve district policy and to address health issues in the district.

Finally, it was our turn. Don graciously introduced us, emphasizing the importance of the program as a way to introduce students to the idea of attending college out-of-state. After his brief, one-minute speech was complete, Shreejal and Hawi went up to thank the district for their continued support of the program. After all, it could not be done without them. After Don finished up the second half of his speech, we retired to the schoolyard to take a photo with our parents and the chaperones.

It was really cool to see what a board meeting looks like, and it felt good to give deserved thanks to the people allowing us to go on such an amazing adventure.