How to Effectively Resolve Problems with a Public School

by Charlene Little, Contributing Writer

Scaredpoet @ Wikimedia Commons

Resolving problems with a public school is a topic that must be carefully approached. This is not something for the weak of heart or the type that easily gives up. Public schools are full of bureaucratic stalling and derailment. As soon as they see that they may have a difference of opinion with a family member of a student, they dig their heels in and try to ride it out rather than fix anything.

The Approach

The approach to any given problem depends on that problem. It is important to realize that unless your child

got hurt or is in danger of being hurt, do not go in yelling and screaming because they are going to brush you off as a complete nut and you will not get anywhere. However, if there is a child hurt for no reason, or a child that is afraid of being hurt and there is no action being taken, by all means go in screaming in a bullhorn, I sure would. If you didn't have problems working out problems with your school, you probably would be reading this. I myself have dealt with schools that refuse to yield, even when it comes to quality of education and child safety. Currently, my niece attends a school that is unyielding regardless of what the problem is. They make paying for school lunches difficult, but there is a way to solve the problem. EVERYONE has a boss. Keep notes of names of people you spoke to, what you spoke to them about, and what their resolution to the problem was. It also helps to keep track of phone numbers in case you have to contact that person directly again.

Chain of Command

If you have worked your way from the teacher, to the counselor, to the assistant principal, and up to the principal and still are not getting anywhere, try the school board. If you work your way all the way to the superintendent and still not resolution, let them know that you don't agree with their decision especially if this problem affects more than one child or more than one family.

Don't give up. There are so many other things that you can do. If this problem affects more than one child or more than one family, find out when the next school board meeting is. These meetings are open to the public and you are allowed to attend. When it is asked if anyone else has a problem that they would like addressed, address your problem. You will have to speak in front of people, but hey, you have everyone together in that room that has the power to make a decision. This is the best time to make yourself heard. After you address your concern, ask if anyone in the room has recommendations for the solution. Everything that is said in that room goes down in the meeting minutes. This means that whatever they agree to in that meeting has to happen. Talk about pressure to fix a problem.

Still No Resolution?

Call your state school board. They tend to pressure local school boards into a quiet resolution. Typically, pressure from what you have done before and the pressure that they can put on the school, tends to work. Work your way up the ladder here the same as you did with your local school board.

No Luck?

If all else fails, contact the federal Department of Education. If you get this high and still have no resolution, contact an attorney too. Make sure that you look up an education attorney. These are people who take pride in the ability to stick it to the school system when they are out of line. This shows the school system that you are not joking and you are willing to take this to court. Typically they will give in after the initial letter from your attorney. Remember, school systems run on a very tight budget; they really cannot afford to pay their attorney unless they have to. Sometimes, just the thought of forking out all of that cash makes the cringe enough to cave.

Originally Published on Yahoo! Voices

About the Author

Charlene Little is the mother of four wonderful boys and an active volunteer in her community. She owns a series of websites entitled Blog4UrMoney. She loves sharing information with people around the internet and is a regular contributor to Write W.A.V.E Media