Communication Key to Unity

As Oxnard’s new Norman R. Brekke Elementary School welcomed its first students last week, The Times asked school board member Francisco J. Dominguez to reflect on the lessons we can all learn from the controversy that erupted over the naming of the school.

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Communication and understanding are keys to our future in the Oxnard School District.

I hope this is what we learned from our recent decision to retain the name of the Norman R. Brekke School and to choose Juan Laguna Soria as the name for the next school to be built.

I truly believe in a process that allows and encourages individuals to speak openly and freely in a public forum. However, I also think it is very important that when speaking publicly, we must address the issues at hand and refrain from engaging in personal attacks. In this way, we can create a better environment for discussion.

Whenever we have a communication process that is open and free, whether in English or Spanish, it also should include offering solutions and not just focusing on the problems.

I hope the discussion that occurred over this emotional and heated issue has left us all now able to say that we can participate in an open dialogue, and people with differing opinions will be heard.

Even if we disagree on the outcome, I hope everyone feels they were at least allowed the opportunity to express and share their point of view with others.

Through this open process of dialogue, I think we can encourage individuals with different points of view to participate. This doesn’t mean that there will be agreement at the end, it just means there is tolerance in accepting different points of view.

As our community continues to change and new ideas emerge, we must not be fearful of change. We must take the opportunity to hear all sides, tolerate all views and keep in mind that we may have different perspectives but ultimately will make a decision that is best for the whole community.

The lesson is that we are building one community, while continuing to change and diversify. We should all look forward to meeting the challenges ahead and working together to improve the quality of life.