Ring the Alarm: What to Do When You Are Not Getting the Answers You Need

Lately, I have noticed more families copying me on emails to their building principals. It caused me to reflect on what may be behind this. Through my listening and learning, I continue to hear that some families do not feel their concerns are being heard, addressed, or resolved. That matters to me.

We have work to do around customer service and hospitality. Families should know who can help, what to expect, and where to go next if a concern remains unresolved. They should also feel heard and valued throughout the process. While I appreciate being included on correspondence, I am usually not the person closest to the work. For most school based concerns, the process begins with the building principal, followed by the Assistant Superintendent who supervises the school, the Deputy Superintendent, and then me. The Board of Education is the final level of escalation.

When something involves your child, it is personal. This process is not intended to make getting help more difficult. It is designed to get your concern to the person best positioned to address it while providing another level of support when needed.

I am including a link to a step-by-step guide to make it clearer who to contact and when: https://www.hazelwoodschools.org/parents/hsd-psp. My hope is that no family is left wondering, “Who do I contact next?” and if you have followed the process and still need help, I am here too.

In partnership,
 

Dr. Jamison
Superintendent of Schools