Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 17, 1994 TAG: 9405170108
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By MARA LEE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
So begins Virginia Tech Dean of Education Wayne Worner's recommendations in the executive summary to his 169-page study of morale in the Montgomery County Public Schools.
The third countywide study, which will be presented to the School Board tonight, describes communication problems, failures in site-based management and an atmosphere of fear among teachers. It also describes satisfaction with principals, parental involvement and colleagues in the classroom.
Worner wrote that employees asked the system to "remove fear and develop trust among the central administration, School Board, [principals] and teachers," and "treat people professionally and with respect."
More than 450 teachers, 16 principals and 16 central office employees filled out the survey at the end of February.
Superintendent Herman Bartlett attributed the negative tone of the survey to its timing. He said that national analysts have said that January through June is the worst time for morale surveys. He said the numbers were "artificially low" because it was distributed during budget deliberations.
"The time period when we did the climate study was the worst possible to have done one," he said.
B.J. Mullins, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, said, "In Dr. Bartlett's own words, the budget is all year long. Regardless of the time of the survey, those issues need to be addressed."
School Board member Virginia Kennedy said the negative comments could not be primarily attributed to budget conflicts. "Many of the things in there, I was getting plenty of comments before budget time."
Bartlett said a few points in the summary shocked him. He said he didn't realize that there was fear among his employees. He said of the directive to treat teachers with respect, "I guess I always thought that was a given."
Mullins said, "Teachers feel that they are not respected at the system level, and this is something that we have discussed with Dr. Bartlett."
But Bartlett also said, "To be surprised now would be naive."
"I can't say that I was surprised," Kennedy said. "I have ears."
Kennedy said that the first climate study led to improvements in former Superintendent Harold Dodge's leadership.
"This is something that will take several meetings to work over and possibly a retreat," she said. "Not just any one thing is going to be a cure all, probably."
Worner wrote in his summary:
Newer teachers had slightly higher morale than teachers who had been in the system for more than three years.
Teachers, principals , parents and the Montgomery County Education Association boost morale; "people and events at the school system level" hurt morale.
Survey respondents suggested that these steps would improve communication:
"Listen, listen, listen, and hear."
"Encourage communication across schools and teachers."
"[Really] implement site-based management."
"Have the superintendent clarify his educational philosophy, goals and plans for the school division."
Worner recommended:
"The superintendent, School Board and Board of Supervisors must recognize that there is a morale problem in the school division."
"The superintendent must assess and modify his methods of communication with central office personnel, school-level administrators, and teachers."
Board member Barry Worth declined comment.
Worner was out of town and could not be reached Monday.
by CNB