In that vein, they sent out a letter to "parents, grandparents, guardians, students, and friends of students" urging people to make their voices heard on the district's proposed school closings and grade reconfigurations. That's significant - it's the first time I've ever seen a letter go out to parents signed by every member of the SRC.
"School closings provoke real and reasonable concern," they wrote. "District planners and the members of the School Reform Commission want to hear those concerns and learn from them to make this plan the best it can be. Please know that although this plan comes on the heels of much unwanted change and churn in our educational community, these recommendations have been crafted with care for our children, teachers and staff.
"At one of last month's SRC meetings, a concerned citizen spoke peace and blessing and urged us to create processes that honestly invite the public in to each crucial decision about our children's learning. The following schedule has been created to do just that. From now until February, our community will discuss the proposals throughout the city. Then in March, members of the School Reform Commission will vote for facilities changes that we believe will make a better match between district buildings and the important work that goes on inside them."
Worth noting: the meetings will be streamed on the Internet or recorded so others can watch. All SRC members will attend "as many meetings as possible."
Of course, district watchers know that a lot of promises get made to parents and the community, and not all of them are kept. But many think that for now, the SRC seems to be not just saying the right things, but doing them, too.
