Washingtonville Central School District Board of Education hosts Connections and Conversations Nights

This spring, the Washingtonville Central School District Board of Education held multiple meetings at each of the schools for its "Connections and Conversations Nights." At the events, families had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of the Board of Education and encouraged parents to get more involved in their children’s education.

The Board of Education explained their role, which includes financial oversight, budget approval, advocacy for student achievement and school improvement, policy creation and enforcement, and hiring and evaluation of the superintendent.

During these meetings, the Board of Education would discuss the importance of parent involvement and how parents can get involved, such as volunteering, as well as joining committees and PTAs.

“The Washingtonville Board of Education encourages parents and family members to get involved any way they can,” said Board of Education president Sharon Williams. “Whether it’s attending school events, staying informed about district news, or volunteering in the classroom, every level of engagement makes a significant difference for their students.”

Involving parents and community members in various school committees and associations is a crucial step to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment. This will allow different perspectives and diverse needs to be advocated for and demonstrate to students the importance parents place on education. Getting involved also allows for opportunities to meet other parents and teachers to share ideas, concerns and experiences. 

Throughout these meetings, the Board of Education explained how family engagement with the school benefits students’ education. The more involved families are, the more successful their child becomes. During this, the Board of Education held Q&A sessions to further engage with parents and answer questions. There are other ways families can get involved besides joining associations, such as participating in school sports, attending games and showing interest in clubs and other extracurricular activities. 

Furthermore, the Board of Education helped individuals understand the school budget process and voter registration. This knowledge is valuable to community members to further understand what their taxes will be going towards and how money will be spent in the district. The group also discussed how funding impacts programs, staffing and resources as well as explained the budget development and approval process.

The Board of Education will continue these discussions into the 2025 - 26 school year, hoping to further connect families to the district to succeed the superintendent’s goal of community connections. 

“Creating community connections for our students is an essential part of learning,” said Superintendent Larry Washington. “Having families and community members involved with what is happening throughout the district motivates and inspires students to reach their full potential.”