This is a follow-up to Mr. Nelms’s article about the school board’s climate survey.
Education has changed in many ways in the past 30 years, but one thing that has not changed is the importance of the classroom teacher.
To improve the support for teachers and school-based staff, the Board hired a private company to do an anonymous climate survey of school-based employees concerning the services provided by central office staff.
We wanted to determine the school staff’s perceptions of the support provided by central office staff in all departments. Whether a bus driver, a plumber, a content coordinator, a payroll clerk, an IT person, a certification officer, a superintendent, or a board member, all have a role in supporting the schools. To paraphrase the Chick-Fil-A motto, “If you’re not teaching children, you should be supporting those who do.”
The survey reveals that we are doing quite well in many areas, but it also highlights some opportunities for improvement. The board is taking the survey very seriously, and we will continue to follow up with the superintendent to insure that the concerns of our teachers and school staff are addressed appropriately.
The board’s primary focus is student achievement. If our students are going to achieve world-class results, then we must create an environment where all students can be successful.
If this survey and follow-up surveys can help our employees better understand how they can serve our teachers and ultimately our students, then it is time well-spent to collect this annual feedback.
Marion Key
Fayetteville, Ga.
[Key is chair of the Fayette County Board of Education.]
