Memorandum from Mary Kay Murphy
Mary Kay Murphy, Ph.D. District 3  School Board Member and 2004 Chairman of the Board

October 19, 2004

   Tonight I will meet with a Cub Scout pack in my neighborhood to discuss their study of Citizenship. They have asked me to be prepared to discuss their topic of interest related to my work on the Gwinnett County Board of Education.

   I am very pleased with this invitation and look forward to the evening with great interest.

   In referring the Cub Scouts to sources for their study, I will note the importance of the Gwinnett County Public School web site. It is located at www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us

   The web site provides information related to the important work of the School Board, including meetings, development of Board policy, and voting. 

   Also, I will refer the Cub Scouts to information on the web site about the School Board's policies related to students, discipline, mandatory reporting of student crimes, and other such activities covered by Board policy. I will provide the Cub Scouts with copies of materials from the School system web site related to the Student Code of Conduct, including the twelve items of behavior on which students can be charged with misconduct.

   This evening's discussion about Citizenship promises to be a stimulating and lively exchange among the Cub Scouts and their School Board Member. We will begin by discussing the Constitution of the United States and the fact that it does not provide for public education in its contents, thus opening the way for States and local control of schools.

   Next, we will discuss the Constitution of the State of Georgia and its prescription that "all official meetings of County or Area Boards of Education shall be open to the Public," with all official actions of the Gwinnett County Board being taken in public meetings.

   We will discuss the role of Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, in our official conduct of Board meetings. Also, we will discuss the nature of Voting among our Board members and when and under what circumstances our votes will be taken and tallied. 

   Further, we will discuss the conditions under which our regular Board meetings are held and the role of citizen input at each of our official meetings. Also, we will discuss the importance of our five Area Board meetings held each year in the five School Districts of Gwinnett County. 

   We will also discuss our Annual Board Meetings at which we elect our new officers, select a newspaper of the official media organ for the district, review and reaffirm the District's Manual of Board policies, and set the time, date, and place of regular Board meetings. 

   Finally, we will discuss the circumstances under which we call Special Board Meetings, Work Sessions, and Executive Sessions. It will be important for the Cub Scouts to know the nature of each of these types of meetings and the role of citizens in participating and monitoring the business of these meetings.

   During my eight years as a member of the Gwinnett County School Board, I have appreciated several opportunities to meet with Cub Scouts and with Boy Scouts to participate in their study of our community and of vital ways that they might provide leadership to our community. 

   Boy Scouts completing their portfolios to become Eagle Scouts have made remarkable contributions to individual public schools in our community through their projects of benefit to our students. These projects have included building furniture for playgrounds, classroom lofts for student reading space, picnic tables and benches, and lawn and garden chairs and benches.

   Also, Boy Scouts have contributed their time and talents to attending monthly meetings of the Gwinnett County Board of Education to lead attendees in Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag ceremonies, as well as to attend and report on Agenda items, including budget, facilities, and other business initiatives.

   Over the weekend, my daughter and I selected very special pumpkins from the Great Pumpkin Patch on Peachtree Parkway. Assisting us in our selection were several members of local Boy Scout troops and their leaders. We both remarked about the courtesy and efficiency of the young men and very much appreciated their work on behalf of our community.

   My admiration is great for the leaders of the Cub Scout and the Boy Scout troops operating in our community. These parents and community members provide remarkable role models for our young students and made commitments of their time and talents in ways that truly benefit the youth of our community in the short term as well as for many years to come.

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