Parents are frustrated. We see all the power and influence in the district and on the board- the teachers, the administrators, and unions. But what about parents? Are we entirely powerless?

Well, sorta, yes.

Parent unions are becoming popular for a good reason- we’re under-represented and have little organized voice. The concept of a powerful parent group has it’s appeal- torches, pitchforks, and a march on the Board who is supposed to represent us. And I like that- do it!

I see a different problem. The parent groups in which I’ve been involved fight like crazy for the maintenance and longevity of the status quo. They are the first to fight budget cuts (and why not?) and the first to fight for textbooks and cork bulletin boards. Not better connectivity and website content.

But I have rarely seen a parent group fight for progress. Or fight for innovation, fight for forward-thinking. Fight for new concepts and new technologies and their implementation in our schools and classrooms. Fight to change paradigms when budget cuts come- they rarely ask the question: How can we benefit from these changes?

Certainly a parent union can’t hurt. But I believe actual solutions to many of our problems require more than another organization, however powerful or well-meaning.

Solutions require leadership and innovation- rare in large torch-and-pitchfork groups, or groups of any kind.

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