DO THEY?
We realize that the effects of losing accreditation will be far reaching. We both have children who are sophomores in the Burke County system, and we know that loss of accreditation would affect our families immediately. We also understand that the whole county will be affected by a loss of accreditation due to the exodus of qualified teachers and students to accredited school systems, the loss of business and industry, and the loss of real property value - just to name a few.
We also realize that we do not have all of the answers. We rely on the good will of the public - the “Stakeholders” – and we respect the public and value their input and their participation in keeping our accreditation. We are all – board members and stakeholders – going to have to “roll up our sleeves” to get this done.
The following is a suggested plan for dealing with the SACS mandates. We realize that opinions may differ (and we welcome public discourse, constructive criticism and suggested changes) on this “plan.” But we have to start somewhere. The current board is most welcome to use this as a “blueprint.”
WE MUST PUT THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS FIRST.
Problem:
The Burke County Public School Board must establish and implement a collaborative process to involve stakeholder groups in the development and understanding of a system-wide vision and purpose to guide the continuous improvement process, allocation and alignment of resources, and daily actions of all members of the school community. Stakeholder groups must include school and district leadership, teachers, classified staff, parents, community and business leaders, students, civic and governmental leaders, ensuring representation of all demographic and geographical areas in Burke County.
Solution:
We plan to hold a Community Forum Series at various county schools, with a “Kick-off” event the first week in December. The county will be invited to the December event, and we will coordinate with professionals (mediators, facilitators, counselors, etc) who are willing to donate their time to help coordinate the Community Forums so that anyone interested can be a part of developing the “System-Wide Vision and Purpose” for our schools.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education must be able to validate that all actions and behaviors of board members are fully aligned with the official Board policies, and all applicable AdvancED Accreditation Standards.
Solution:
All board members must be involved in the creation/updating of policies, and must vow to uphold those policies. Board members will be required to review AdvancED Accreditation standards, and will review these during Open Session at least once a year.
Problem:
The decorum of all board meetings must reflect the professionalism required of all those who are defining the quality of education for the community.
Solution:
We believe that once the board members show respect to the public, the public will show respect to the board members. We encourage all parties to engage in restraint and to refrain from inciting bad behavior from the other party.
Problem:
Burke County Board of Education must develop and conduct an ongoing self-evaluation process using an approved, professionally developed instrument, to determine strengths and needs for growth of individual board members and the board as a body. Results are to be used to develop the professional development plan for the board.
Solution:
Engage resources such as the North Carolina Institute of Government or Appalachian State University to assist the board in adopting a professionally developed self-evaluation process. Concentrate in acquiring Continuing Education Hours on this subject.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education and district leadership must develop and implement a plan for the professional development of all board members to include a timeline for deliberate and extensive training in the roles and responsibilities of the board, ethics, orientation of new board members, SACS CASI/AdvancED Standards, and parliamentary procedure.
Solution:
Arrange for a board retreat in January to include covering all subjects above. Seek suggestions from SACS CASI, NC Institute of Government as to who could conduct and facilitate this retreat. Ask for financial assistance from county commissioners and other stake holders if necessary to fund this.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education must develop and implement a comprehensive process and timeline for the revision and communication of school district policies to review and update needed policies, garner understanding of the policies, their procedures, and the impact for the board and district leadership.
Solution:
- Each board member will be assigned 1 or 2 policy manual chapters
- The board member would form a stakeholders group (staff, parents, community) to work on updating that chapter (board member would set meeting dates, deadlines, etc.)
- Local Counsel would be part of the process ensuring that state and federal laws are followed.
- We would develop a timeline that each group was to report back to the full board
- Post the policy ideas on the web and the newspaper for public review.
- Require policies to be available to public before first readings.
- Allow public to comment on policies at every meeting where policy is read and/or taken action on.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education must develop, commit to, and individually sign an ethics policy and code of conduct that governs the actions, work, and behaviors of the board and staff, as well as appropriate steps when said policy is violated.
Solution:
Adopt a Code of Ethics similar to that below, and lobby our legislators to provide a means to investigate violations and to enforce the code. In the mean time, develop a means of “censuring” board members who have been proven to have violated the Code of Ethics.
This Code of Ethics signifies the strong commitment on the part of the School Board to base our decisions and actions on ethical standards. It recognizes the role and defines professional behavior needed in order to fulfill our obligations of being effective and responsible Board Members.
This Code reflects the deeper sense of purpose and direction which governs our work. Our ethical behavior “speaks” loudly as an example to the young people we serve. It is, in fact, one of the wisest lessons in teaching and learning we can offer.
While serving as a member of the Burke County Board of Education, I will accept the responsibility to improve education, and I will:
- Remember that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of all students attending Burke County public schools;
- Obey the laws of North Carolina and the United States;
- Respect the confidentiality of privileged information;
- Recognize that as an individual Board Member I have no authority to speak or act for the Board;
- Respect the right of other Board Members to have and express ideas that differ;
- Work collaboratively with other Members to establish effective Board policies;
- Delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the Superintendent and staff;
- Encourage ongoing communications among Board Members, students, staff, and the community;
- Be open, fair and honest;
- Render all of my decisions based on available facts, appropriate public input and my independent judgment;
- Make every effort to attend all Board meetings;
- Come to Board meetings informed concerning the issues under consideration;
- Give staff members the respect and consideration due skilled professional employees;
- Improve my ability to serve as a School Board Member by studying educational issues and participating in appropriate professional development;
- Support the employment of staff members based on qualifications;
- Cooperate with other Board Members and Administrators to establish a system of regular and impartial evaluations of all staff;
- Avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof;
- Refrain from using my Board position for benefit of myself, family, or other business associates;
- Express my personal opinions, but once the Board has acted, accept the will of the majority; and
- Maintain professional decorum when discussing school matters, and dress appropriately (professionally) when representing the school board.
I acknowledge that the following are unethical behaviors and will refrain from such actions:
- Seeking personal advantage from membership on the Burke County Board of Education;
- Intimidating Burke County Public School staff through words or deeds;
- Making disparaging remarks about other Board Members;
- Discussing confidential business in public or to anyone not privy to such information;
- Placing the interests of individuals or groups ahead of the interests of the district and all students in the Burke County Public School; and
- Conducting unauthorized activity on the Board’s behalf away from the School Board meetings.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education must engage in professional development for conflict resolution and team building communication skill development, engaging a professional mediator to establish productive communication and professional working relationships among board members, staff and community stakeholders.
Solution:
Engage a professional mediator to train all board members on constructing productive and professional communications and working relationships. Engage in Community Forums conducted by professional volunteer mediators, facilitators and counselors as mentioned above. Encourage board members, staff and stakeholders to attend.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education must establish a written process and timeline to resolve issues and re-establish collaboration with governmental and civic entities in the county, i.e., law enforcement, the county commission, and chamber of commerce.
Solution:
We recognize the powerful role that business and industry plays in the maintenance and development of the community and the school system. Local businesses have always given generously in their support of local schools. We recognize the important role and vested interest that the County Commissioners have in collaborating with the school board. We recognize that public safety officials first order of duty is to protect the public, and we will not create situations in which they are needlessly pulled from more important duties to enforce our agenda.
At the first board meeting in December, we plan to resolve by written resolution, to re-establish cordial working relationships with law enforcement, county commissioners and Chamber of Commerce. We plan to immediately re-join Chamber of Commerce, using funds requested from the County Commissioners or funds donated by stakeholders for this purpose.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education must expand the search for a new superintendent to include a process to gather and utilize significant stakeholder input into desired qualities, characteristics, and qualifications for the new superintendent, extending the search process to ensure national publication of the vacancy and to ensure quality applicants.
Solution:
This mandate is beyond our control, as the board majority continues on their quest to fill this position before the November elections. Our suggestion, like those of many others, is to immediately suspend the search for new superintendent.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education must ensure that all conditions of the censure of Board member Hairfield are concluded within 30 days of the receipt of this report by the district.
Solution:
This mandate is beyond our control. Our suggestion would be to immediately meet with leaders from the African American and Hispanic communities to see what suggestions they have as to how to comply with the conditions of censure as soon as possible.
Problem:
The Burke County Board of Education must develop a written plan including a timeline for the provision of training board members in effective boardmanship. Continue to review and educate themselves on the policy changes, particularly in the area of board and superintendent/management team relations; in conjunction with this, develop and employ a written communication plan, which includes an implementation timeline for educating themselves, staff, and the public.
Solution:
Developing a timeline will be a process to which the whole board must contribute. We suggest that the process begin in January with a board retreat facilitated by professionals well versed in the establishment of these timelines and who will assist us in developing a written communication plan.
Susan Stroup, Sam Wilkinson, Buddy Armour and Catherine Thomas
