Think your voice counts? Think again

Many, many years ago I learned something about school boards that it seems Chicagoans (parents, students and teachers) are just now learning. They say that they want your input on issues but have usually already made up their minds and do just what they planned on doing in the first place.

I was a parent (though I’ve forgotten what issue made me decide to attend a board meeting) who thought the board was really interested in what I had to say. I left that meeting vowing to never again waste my time. They so obviously were not interested in what I had to say.

I eventually became an employee of that same district as a school secretary. During my 22 years as a secretary I was often offered the opportunity to have input on new computer software programs that affected my job. Once again I realized it was just a gesture as they had already made up their minds and just wanted it to appear that we actually had some say in what they were doing.

Administration does what it wants, and the boards just follow their lead. So, save yourselves the frustration of thinking your voice is heard. It doesn’t just happen in Chicago. Whatever the mayor, the superintendent and the board want to do is what is going to happen. Your opinion doesn’t really count.

Janet Lumm

Schaumburg