Example of the blog -> PTA -> stakeholder communication link

Further information from the Midvale-Lincoln PTA in my wife's email box this morning (March 17) -- by way of our friend Jim Zellmer of blog fame and Midvale PTA member Diane Mayerfeld-- illustrating some of the communication network connections in play here (especially note the mention of various web sites as well as physical meetings for finding more information).

(I'm leaving the names in this time because this strikes me as a more public communication.)

This first email was what the Midvale-Lincoln PTA sent out to their mailing list:

Dear Midvale-Lincoln PTA community

I pass on to you a note about a school board candidate forum tonight from 7:00pm to 8:30pm (see below). The election for school board will be on April 5th. There are two contested seats -- Bill Clingan (incumbent) is running against Lawrie Kobza, and Carol Carstensen (incumbent) is running against challenger Lawrence Winkler.

Also, spring budget discussions are heating up, and the district is proposing three school referenda (one to get additional funding for operational expenses, one to get funding for building maintenance, and one on whether to build a new elementary school near Leopold School). We will try to get someone to attend our April potluck who can give us information and answer our questions about these proposals. Meanwhile, brave citizens can look at the information on the district web site at http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/.

Finally, remember we will be having the rummage sale on May 7th, so please begin thinking about items you can donate.

Have a great spring break!

Diane Mayerfeld

This second email was a quoted message included in the first email, revealing an interesting mix of newsletter and personal communication from Zellmer (blogmaster of schoolinfosystem.org) to Mayerfeld:

Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 14:36:57 -0600
From: Jim Zellmer
Subject: www.schoolinfosystem.org News
To: Diane Mayerfeld

Hi Diane:

Cherokee Middle School is hosting a Madison School Board Candidate
Forum this evening from 7:00 to 8:30p.m. Thanks to many people for
organizing this, including Arlene Silveira:

Map, driving directions & links here:
http://www.calendarwiz.com/schoolinfosystem

Don't be a Statistic: Fight the Achievement Gap
Lafollette Student Jazmin Jackson writes a must read:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/001694.php

Schools Could Use a Makeover
Rob Zaleski
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/001717.php (links & related
articles)

Malcolm Gladwell on Education
New Yorker writer and author (Blink, Tipping Point) spoke at the
Memorial Union last week. Interesting stuff, including some words on
education and inadvertent (or not) gender bias:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/001712.php

March 7, 2005 Madison School Board Meeting Budget Comments, including
the administrations's proposed strings program elimination:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/001743.php

Carol Carstensen & Ruth Robarts exchange views on the District's
current budget process:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/001711.php

Mary Battaglia offers up Virginia's recent school funding change:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/001737.php

Blogshine Sunday, FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and PAC money in
the local school board races
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/archives/001728.php

==============

Madison School Board Candidate election site:
http://www.zmetro.com/election/

Up to date local school information, links, events and ideas:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org

Send your ideas and information:
http://www.schoolinfosystem.org/ideas/

Best wishes!

Jim