Tonight’s OPRF board meeting — left home at 6:15, got home at 11:15. Five hours total, about an hour longer than average.
Productive meeting, in large part because we’re starting serious discussion of phase 2 of the high school renovation project, which will affect both PE (phys ed. classes) and athletics (sports teams), and we got to hear from quite a few students and staff, which was often both moving and enlightening. I learned things tonight. It’s going to be a long discussion and revision and budgeting process; I think it’ll be months before we’re actually voting on anything.
I had a lot of questions at the start of this process, some of which have now been answered; when I have a little more time and brain, I’m tentatively planning to try and write those up for folks, in case it’s helpful.
One important note for OPRF board meetings — public comment is limited to 30 minutes for what’s presented out loud at the meeting, 3 minutes / speaker. It’s allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you want to speak verbally at the next board meeting in two weeks, get your comment in early. But if you don’t present verbally, we do get a copy of all public comments sent in, which we do read and seriously consider.
This has been the policy for two years, but I think some people haven’t been aware of it, due to the pandemic. So please keep it in mind if you’re interested in giving public comment.
(Please keep in mind that we are all unpaid volunteers on the board, and we’re all still working full-time (or more than full-time), and have to get up for our jobs in the morning.)
I think this is the first time I’ve worn my hair in twin braids for a board meeting — people told me I looked younger. I’m sure I do, and it doesn’t feel very board-ish. On the other hand, thousands of people voted for me, so they’re stuck with me for three more years, braids and all.