Eight candidates for the Geary USD 475 Board of Education gave their views on teacher and staff retention Thursday night. The occasion was a Chamber of Commerce sponsored forum at the new Junction City High School.
Kelli McCallum said having student interns has been a positive for the school district. " I think we need to resume this within our schools. The recent decrease in staff retention has to do with changes in the district, and the staff feeling that they don't have support. We need to work hard to create an environment to support staff and give us a one up as a potential employer to future staff."
When it comes to improving teacher morale Krystal Koch said teachers need support and more staffing. She also supports allowing volunteers back into the schools. "Right now we understand it is hard to find trained professionals, people to fill the jobs since people are burned out.'
Bryan Bliss called for more support for staff, noting he has talked with several teachers and there are some administrators pushing their beliefs off on teachers. "They've got different beliefs that do not believe that they should be participating in this, they're not getting supporting from the staff." Bliss added he has talked with teachers who have been "clawed, scratched and bitten. " They notify the administrators who then talk to the parents. "Parents are overwhelmed because they're single parents, the parents are saying it's not my issue and nothing gets done with these students."
Stephanie Holloway said teacher retention is an issue across Kansas and the nation, and COVID-19 has been difficult. "I believe it has impacted staff well being, their mental health. They need to feel our support."
Mark Hatcher noted that teachers and people in the community know what's going on. When some say publicly something else and yet we're talking to our friends and neighbors and we know that's not the truth right. We know why they're leaving. It's not about the money. I hear teachers saying we're well compensated, we're fine but it's the respect, just the support and admiration. Just say you did a good job." Hatcher also called for support for teachers.
Jason Butler called for a traditional three prong approach. Improving morale leads to job satisfaction and that in turn leads to people wanting to remain in the district. "If they like their job there's a better job they're going to stay here. " Butler called for pipelining teachers by engaging local colleges and students rotating through the district in internships. He added in times where staffing is tough there need to be bonuses to help retain teachers.
Rina Neal noted that the district adopted and reviewed a strategic plan with the help of the community and 475 staff. "One of those goals is recruit, retain and support high quality staff." She also called for parent involvement in the education system.
Beth Hudson observed this is a hard issue for everyone. "When you lose some of those teachers you forget that you're also losing a family in the community. And I've seen that time and again the last couple of years. I think we've also lost some core people administratively across the district so you kind of lose your way. " Hudson said the BOE addressing this will be huge help "recognizing that relationships have to be rebuilt, recognizing that people want to be heard."
The candidates are vying in the November election for three seats that will be vacant on the school board.