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October 16, 2008
Dear BEN Members and Supporters,
As you may know, the Baltimore Education Network (BEN) was recently selected to serve ten schools as part of the Baltimore City Schools' Community Support Initiative this school year. This grant award reflects BEN's 10+ year history of modeling inclusive, collaborative community relationships and seeking to institute such processes at the system and school-community levels. It also enables BEN to continue its mission to support families, youth, and community in creating the agenda for how their schools can improve and using their individual and collective power to move this agenda.
This grant enables BEN to hire two full-time organizers, coordinate its Volunteer Action Team and support the Presidents' Roundtable to further the mission of BEN. Unfortunately, BEN can no longer adequately support its overall operating costs. As a result, the BEN Board of Directors (Board) decided to suspend activities not related to the Community Support Initiative and the Presidents' Roundtable. In the interim, the BEN office will be co-located with the Fund for Educational Excellence (Fund). The Fund has dedicated office space and a phone line to BEN at: 800 N. Charles Street, Suite #400, 21201 and (410) 685-8300 x.12. In addition, the Fund will donate staff time to support the Community Support Initiative.
The Board is very proud of BEN's history, and of the many employees, volunteers and supporters who have contributed to the accomplishments of BEN, some of which follow. Since 1997, BEN has:
- Served the critical function of mobilizing and influencing how the school district partners with families by influencing new school system policies such as the Family and Community Engagement Policy.
- Built community and family capacity to be involved in education reform work by giving parents the resources they need to enable them to expand their leadership role in the community.
- Kept the public informed on the progress of school reform and on opportunities to influence that process through a variety of communications vehicles, most notably the BENews.
Once the Board addresses the urgent short-term financial issues, we will engage a wide range of stakeholders to determine the best long-term strategy for the organization. It is important to note that the Board remains fully engaged and the organization remains independent and committed to its mission. The BEN website will continue to be updated periodically at: www.BENetwork.org.
The Board appreciates your patience and support during this difficult time of transition. We are eager to work together to find new and more viable ways to engage parents and other community members in our great City Schools. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the Board Executive Committee members at any time. Our contact information is as follows:
Warmly,
Kenneth B. Lawson
Chairman
Baltimore Education Network (BEN)
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