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The Purple Zone
Welcome to The Purple Zone (formerly Our Kids Our Schools).
Bridging the Gap between Public Policy and Everyday Practice
The Purple Zone explores what it really means to align how we govern, how we educate, and how we show up for our communities.
Hosted by Alexis — a PhD student in public policy and administration, and longtime educator and advocate for kids, communities, and the systems that shape our lives. This podcast connects the dots between policy and practice, without the politics or platitudes.
It’s about naming what often goes unsaid — and making space for a more honest, human approach to systems that impact all of us.
How systems shape our communities, from policy on paper to action in practice. + Thinking Out Loud as a PhD Student
The Purple Zone
The Anatomy of a School Bond Proposal
BONUS EPISODE!
We welcome Jake Dempsey, a dedicated school board trustee for the Middleton School District. Jake joins us to discuss Middleton's efforts to pass a critical school bond in the upcoming May election — a feat that requires a supermajority of 66.67% voter approval, a notably high threshold to meet in Idaho. This won't be Middleton’s first attempt, but this time the school board approached the proposal differently, revising it based on community feedback to ensure their patrons' voices were heard. Jake shares insights into the collaborative process behind proposing a school bond and highlights key changes made to improve its chances.
Additionally, we explore the dos and don'ts of being an effective school board member, especially in a role that demands significant volunteer time and a passion for the school community. Whether you're interested in the complexities of school bonds or want to better understand the responsibilities of a school board trustee, this episode offers an engaging look into leadership, community interaction, and the perseverance needed to support local education. Take a listen to learn more about Middleton's school bond initiative and the valuable lessons from Jake’s experience!
Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/
JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page
Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
alexis@ourkidsourschools.com
Find great resources and info on school communities:
https://ourkidsourschools.com/