BY KARISSA MILLER
Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education Chairman Doug Knight hopes board members will use the results of a recent staff survey as “a baseline for growth and improvement.”
The survey, which was completed anonymously in early February by a total of 85 I-SS principals, assistant principals and administrative staff, revealed numerous concerns about the priorities and direction of the Board of Education. The survey contained eight questions related to school board conduct, professionalism and performance. Respondents could also comment on each question.
Knight discussed the results publicly during Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.
“Being on the board is hard. Putting everyone together from different backgrounds, different perspectives and just different life experience and expecting us to get along and work together and get along is hard. It’s hard to get along with people you know that you enjoy being around with sometimes,” Knight said.
The chairman did not reference any of the staff comments and limited his discussion to the data:
♦ 16 percent surveyed agreed that “The culture of the Board of Education creates a culture to recruit and retain highly qualified staff.”
♦ 21 percent agreed that “The I-SS board of education works as a team in a climate of professionalism and mutual respect.”
♦ 17 percent agreed that “The I-SS Board of Education exhibits ethics, integrity, flexibility and tact when working as a board.”
♦ 19 percent agreed that “The I-SS Board of Education makes decisions to support the district’s priorities and not personal agendas.”
“One of the biggest things that changed in education is we do pre- and post-tests. We see where students are before we teach them things. I really like that. So, from my perspective, how can we do better going forward?” Knight asked the board.
The chairman outlined a few areas where he believes the board can improve survey results:
♦ Board members should stay in general order and decorum at all meetings;
♦ Board members should disagree professionally;
♦ Personal and political goals of board members should be superseded by what is best for the students and teachers and the school district;
♦ Board members should demonstrate empathy and compassion;
♦ The board should follow policy; and
♦ Board members should treat others the way we want to be treated.
“We cannot change the past. I don’t want to look at the past. We can only take action,” Knight said.
While the chairman was focused on improving the board’s performance, school board member Brian Sloan questioned the purpose of the survey.
“As a board we have one employee – our superintendent. Are we to bend over backwards to make happy the employees under him? Is that what the point is?”
“When it’s this bad, we’ve got some things going on,” Knight responded.
Administrators said they hope board members will use the survey to make changes that will improve their working relationship so they can focus on making the best decisions for all I-SS students.
Related
♦ Administrators voice strong opinions about conduct, priorities of I-SS Board of Education (March 12)
♦I-SS administrators give Board of Education low marks for ethics and integrity (March 16)
Life is hard. Not just being on the school board. Getting along with people you work/serve with is a life skill. You make it sound as if serving on the school board is harder than working in a school because you have to get along with people.
What’s shameful is that board members who wish to discuss the problems facing our students are never allowed to do so. The board chair dictates what’s placed on the agenda. How can they discuss our poor performing schools, teacher hiring and retention, etc., as well as possible solutions if they’re prevented from doing so? Likewise, when an item IS placed on the agenda, as was the survey, the chairman dictates what kind of comments can be made by board members. Restricting and controlling what can and cannot be said is not a good look, Mr. Chairman.