State school superintendent Kirsten Baesler is setting up a “family engagement cabinet.”
That cabinet would help get families more involved with the education of their children. It would be similar to Baesler's "student cabinet."
Baesler told Capitol reporters parents are very involved in the first five years of their children’s lives.
"Then when the children come to our elementary schools, the parents feel like they're dropping their child off, and many of our school systems are saying, 'We got this - just let us handle this," Baesler said. "they're feeling not as engaged, and sometimes disenfranchised."
Baesler will be looking for a cabinet of 20 to 25 people from around the state.
Bismarck parent Beth Schatz Kaylor was involved with an effort to keep some neighborhood schools open, despite a consultant’s recommendation. She said fortunately, the Bismarck school board was willing to listen. And Kaylor said she’s happy the cabinet will have representation from across the state.
"The needs of a child in Westhope are different from West Fargo," Kaylor said. "I really think to have them all here and engaged in the conversation is going to be really powerful."
Baesler said she’s now accepting applications for the cabinet. She hopes to have the first meeting in May.