School Administration Responds
Numerous parents and community members attended last week’s school board meeting to express concerns about values that one or two teachers were expressing to the students.
A standing room only crowd gathered, but only five people were allowed to speak. The school board did not respond at the meeting to those in attendance, but promised a response by the end of the week. The following response was issued:
“Parents and Community Members,
“We would like to thank you for taking the time to attend the Board of Education meeting on November 17, 2015. As you know, the Board of Education meets at least once per month to conduct official school-related business on behalf of the citizens and students of Jasper County.
“The Board of Education meetings are open to the public, and citizens are encouraged to attend and observe the work conducted by our Board who are elected to represent you. An agenda for each Board meeting is published online at the eBoard site and outside of the Board of Education entrance at least 24 hours prior to each meeting.
“Based on our observations, there appears to be some general misunderstanding of Board meeting procedures and protocol. School Board meetings are not open forums designed for questions and answers from the public. However, the public may address concerns regarding school matters to teachers, principals, the superintendent, or to individual Board members at any time outside of the Board meeting-adhering to that chain of command.
“The purpose of our Board meetings is to make policy and financial decisions as well as to act upon recommendations (ex. approval of field trips, school improvement plans, system budgets, etc.) from the Superintendent of Schools, who under state law is charged as the Chief Executive Officer of the day-to-day operations of the District.
“In an effort to increase dialogue with the public, our Board changed its public participation policy in December 2014 to allow more open direct and timely participation at each Board meeting. Five individuals can speak at each meeting in accordance to policy BCBI which can be found at this link:
http://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?
PC=BCBI&lSch=4092&S=4092&RevNo=l .66&C=B&Z=P
“The Chairman (and Superintendent) may recognize individuals and allow comments from the audience on a limited basis regarding Board agenda items. Most often the individuals who are recognized are employees of the District whose feedback is needed to clarify specific agenda items.
“On November 17, five citizens/parents took advantage of the opportunity to offer comments during the Public Comments portion of the Business Meeting. Many of the comments were related to articles/blogs concerning allegations regarding the conduct of several Jasper County educators. We listened very closely to each of the comments.
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“While state and federal laws do not allow us to make specific comments about personnel matters like those alleged in the articles or blogs, we want to assure our community and parents that we hold ALL OF OUR educators to the highest standards of professional practice.
“Our educators are expected to teach the Georgia Standards of Excellence and Georgia Performance Standards and any other locally Board-approved curriculum. The District expects that teachers shall refrain from instructional practices that promote or defame any religion. It is also our expectation that teachers refrain from instruction that promotes personal agendas in the classroom.
“Nevertheless, there are some instructional standards (e.g. religion, biology, government, history, etc.) that parents/students may find conflict with their own personal beliefs or ideology. While the classroom discussion, particularly at the 9-12 grade levels, lends itself to topics that some would consider more mature in nature (e.g. like religion, politics and government), the District expects educators to present instruction and dialogue in a professional manner.
“When allegations are made that educators have conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner, the District investigates and addresses those matters promptly and professionally. It is not the role or duty of the District to evaluate the personal decisions or life choices of its employees unless there is evidence that educators are conducting themselves in a personal manner outside of school that violates federal/state laws of professional practice and/or ethical codes of conduct enforced by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, an entity that regulates the professional conduct of Georgia’s educators.
“However, the District does not publicly comment on personnel matters.
“Parents, you have additional methods to become more involved in your children’s education. Attend parent-teacher conferences or volunteer for the school Parent Teacher Organization. Email your child’s teacher or principal to see how you can assist them in helping your child.
“Become an active part of the School Level Governance Councils as we discussed at the close of the November 17 Board meeting. Each school has a Council, and the Councils will assist the school with its improvement efforts as we transition into Charter System Status. Your input and voice in the education of OUR children is most important and needed at the school level.
“Thank you again for your attendance and for taking the time to express your concerns and support as we work together to improve the educational experiences for all of OUR students in Jasper County.”
The Jasper County Board of Education &
Dr. Mike Newton, Supt.
