Trustee McMurrough is also an 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 parent
January is聽, and we want to spotlight our聽Board of Trustees聽and all the great work they do. This year the theme for the month is 鈥淟ocally Elected, Community Connected.鈥
Today, we鈥檙e catching up with board member Sarah McMurrough. The former 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 teacher has been on the board since 2021 and is the board secretary.
As a parent of current 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 students, do you think you see things through a different聽lens as a board member?
Although I’m serving in the role of a board member, I bring the perspective聽of an 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 parent, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 alumni and former聽色窝窝无码一区二区三区 teacher of 12 years.聽Our entire聽board is made up of (current or former) 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 parents, and it is a wonderful thing to serve alongside others聽with that genuine, vested interest in the success of our school district.聽The parent lens certainly has its benefits to board service, but I think it’s critical to couple that with continuous learning and intentional listening to other parents and caregivers. In addition to my two boys, there are 55,000+ other children who are counting on me to do聽so!聽
What is your excitement level with Dr. Smith coming in as the new superintendent?
It is a bit surreal to have finally found our fit after a yearlong search, but I have every confidence that he is indeed the very best person to lead our school district into our next chapter! In addition to his robust experiences as an educator, his qualities and attributes are spot on with the type of leader we need here in聽色窝窝无码一区二区三区. I am especially excited about his first order of business, which is to listen and learn.聽
How would you describe everything that happened in 2023 with the leadership transition?
When Dr. Cavazos shared the news that he’d be retiring, he told us that he had every faith that our board had what it took to make the right decision. At that time, it was honestly very hard (for me) to imagine 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 under the leadership of anyone else, but I knew deep down that we were up to the task. I felt it was important to involve our 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 employees and community at large, and we had our search firm facilitate several in-person and virtual opportunities for all stakeholders to provide input. The big win was that the board’s vision for our next superintendent really aligned with the large trends of the input we received, so we were strongly calibrated on the leadership profile before we even had candidates to consider! I did not anticipate the path getting to our destination to have all the curves, bumps and even roadblocks that it did, and I certainly didn’t anticipate the search taking a whole year! However, our teachers and staff were exceptional in how they handled the transition. Our board dared and cared enough to give the search all we had and keep our focus on what was best for our school district because we know how critical this decision was. I have to hand it to Dr. C; he was right all along.聽
You’ve been on the board for almost three years now. Has your perspective changed during that time?
I’ve always held the core belief that all children can learn at high levels, and my goal as a trustee is to ensure that each child has access to that experience here in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区. I have always answered the call to keep our children at the forefront of my board service, but in my third year, I’ve gained more knowledge and experience around how to really fill my capacity in doing so. School board meetings are a small fraction of how an involved trustee’s聽time is spent,聽and I owe it to our kids and community to聽be heavily involved. (Also, I love it!) I’ve had the honor of advocating for our school district at our state’s Capitol, visiting dozens of schools and facilities, staying in close communication with our amazing teachers and staff, conversing with constituents through coffees and calls, facilitating Trustee Talks, learning through professional development, sharing moments with families that range from grief to celebration, team building with other board members, and of course, hiring 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 next superintendent. I’m aware of the implications our board service has on students, staff, the community at large, and our future, and the sense of responsibility and honor I feel has remained constant since day one!聽
The theme for the month is locally elected, community connected. How important is community support to you?
Each day I feel grateful to have been elected to serve, and when I think of community support, what I appreciate most of all is how our community comes through time and time again for our kids. Our聽students here in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 thrive and reach incredible heights聽because of the community that surrounds them and supports them. This includes parents, grandparents, educators, support staff, local organizations, faith-based groups, neighbors, local businesses and beyond! From the passing of our 2019 Bond Package to Rotary Club chapters that adopt schools to our 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Education Foundation to everything in-between, I am constantly inspired by the ways Arlington comes through for our聽youth.聽So, if I had to sum it up, community support means everything!