Although it won’t create the media buzz which was created when DC Comics announced the creation of Task Force Z, mainly since it was announced amidst the usual sparse audience at the Hartford Board of Education’s monthly Regular Meeting, Board Chairman Phillip Rigueur announced the creation of an “Advocacy Task Force.”

Calling on the powers vested to him by his role as Board Chair and by Board Bylaws (9321f), bylaws he routinely ignores and/or violates, Mr. Rigueur’s aim is to create a band of Board superheroes who will be tasked with developing a plan to transmit Hartford Public Schools’ agenda and voice to the state legislature.

Since the city’s charter obligates Board outreach and advocacy, and since the Board’s Bylaws mandate members engage in advocacy actions, Mr. Rigueur’s planned task force aligns nicely to what has already been required of the Board.

Had this “Advocacy Task Force,” or the self-valuing of advocacy in and of itself, already been a staple of this Board, we may have witnessed HPS lobbying the state legislature when it recently held a public meeting for Proposed Bill, H.B. 5003.

Legislative proposal H.B. 5003 will transform the way public school districts are funded by the state, and represents the future fiscal viability of many school districts in Connecticut.  One-hundred and eighty-eight (188) education stakeholders signed up to speak at the state’s public meeting, and many more submitted written testimony in regards to this extremely important bill.

Despite it nearly duplicating the written testimony submitted by Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez in favor of H.B. 5003, Board Member A.J. Johnson was the lone Board member advocating for HPS’ agenda and voice at the state level on this day.

Mr. Rigueur’s actions today lie in contrast to his nonaction yesterday.  However, I suppose, better late than never.  Similarly, despite Board Member Yahaira Escribano’s self-professed passion for state level advocacy, stated in 2 meetings this month (Feb. 9, Feb. 13), we don’t see her name among those folks pushing HPS’ cause at the state level when it came to H.B. 5003.

Chairman Rigueur stated that he has hopes that this “Advocacy Task Force” becomes another standing committee of the Board of Education.  Great.  The current standing committees of the Board of Education are ignored by most members appointed to them and are about effective in their oversight role as a red light in Hartford.

Task Force Z only lasted for 12 issues, and they had Red Hood.  Perhaps Task Force Rigueur will rise above my doubts and become the “ultimate army” of the district, bringing a “new chance for life” to Hartford Schools.