Winner - Georgia Title I Distinguished Large School System

Winner - Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Corporate Citizen 

the gscs

COMMUNICATOR

system-wide straight talk

Every comment counts!

a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones 

 

Earlier this month, around 800 employees participated in our school system climate survey, and I thank each of you for sharing your thoughts and perceptions.

I know some people doubt that we will actually use the results, but I want you to know that we have already begun the process of analyzing them. As we try to improve as a system, we need to respond to what is real, what is perceived, and try to close the gap between the two. We know that for some their perception is their reality. Please know that the survey results will lead to action plans which you will see as additions to our district improvement plan and then in school improvement plans.

At the end of the survey was question #20 which asked, "What suggestions do you have for improving this school system? There were 272 responses to that one question, and I have read them all. I appreciate each comment. I'd like to address one today.

One comment given on March 16, at 8:03pm, says:

• Treat teachers as the professionals they are. Trust teachers to do the right thing for the success of the students. Take a firmer stand in removing disruptive students from the standard classroom environment; teachers feel their hands are tied many times and are not supported in this area. Look past the data and numbers and hold parents and students responsible for their learning; failures are not solely an educator's fault. Be willing to listen to criticism rather than take a defensive mode.

I thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree with everything you said! Teachers are professionals, and they should be treated that way.

As I think about how you will see that we are responding to this comment, I reflect back on what we've already done. We've created a teacher advisory council with teachers of the year. We included teachers in each cost reduction team. When I do my superintendent's school walk-through, I listen to what teachers have to share with me about the decisions that have been made and the barriers they encounter.

• I take from this comment that I need to do better, and I will try to do so. At the moment, I'm not quite sure how you will see it, but I take your comments seriously.

This week I attended the First National Bank Outstanding Student Banquet and the STAR Student Banquet. In both cases, teachers were praised by their students. Comments were made at both events that our school system is doing better, and I know a tremendous part of that is the work teachers are putting into place. So, there's no doubt in my mind that teachers are experts in what they do.

But this comment indicates that there are some who don't feel that they are being treated as professionals, so I will reflect and figure out what else I can do to improve this area.

Until then, I want to thank you for being a teacher in the Griffin-Spalding County School System and helping us dare to do better! I want to thank you for helping and teaching our students and in some cases, even their parents. You do an awesome job. You're fantastic. You truly are.

I want to close with congratulations to Mrs. Teisha Waller, assistant principal at Spalding High School. She just has now completed her doctorate studies, and she is now Dr. Teisha Waller.  Congratulations, Doc!

Everyone, have a great weekend!

Curtis

From March 5 to 16, Griffin-Spalding County School System employees - certified and classified - had the opportunity to participate in a climate survey collecting data on different employer operations including communication and system-level decision making. 803 surveys were completed.

Results and comments are in the process of being analyzed. When the survey was launched, Dr. Curtis Jones, Superintendent, said, ""I want to know what employees think about a number of issues. They need an opportunity to voice their opinion, and we need to turn those opinions in to actionable improvement and communication plans for the school system."

All responses were anonymous to create the most valid results possible.

So what's the GPA we have given ourselves?

• 80.9% of our employees gave the school system the grade of "A" or "B", which translates into a 3.15 GPA.

Overview:

• 59.7% of survey takers self-identified themselves as teachers.
• 99.6% said a school district with strong schools was important
• 99.7% said a financially stable school system was important
• 93.9% said they understood that property values depend on school & system reputation

On school system values and culture:

• 92.1% strongly or somewhat agreed that the school system celebrates achievements and accomplishments of students, staff, and school community.
• 82.7% strongly or somewhat agreed that the school system's policies, practices and experiences promote respect for individual differences.
• 74% strongly or somewhat agreed that the school system's culture reflects an atmosphere of trust and openness among all stakeholders.  

On leadership and the board of education:

• 75.3% said they were very familiar or familiar with vboard of education roles and responsibilities
• 86.4% said they were very familiar or familiar with superintendent roles and responsibilities
• 76% they were very familiar or familiar with central office roles and responsibilities
• 87.9% said they have not needed to speak a board of education member for work related issues
• 86.4% said school board members were available for conversations/assistance
• 83.3% said school board members listened to their concerns
• 82.6% said school board members responded to concerns in a professional manner "whether or not s/he agreed with me"

On the Superintendent's/Central Office:
 

When the employee had an issue to discuss or an idea to share with the Superintendent or Central Office employee:

• 94.1% easily found out who to contact
• 94.3% made contact with the right person
• 88.2% said the employee listened
• 84.9% said their ideas were considered and addressed in a professional manner

On system-level decisions:

• 92.1% agreed or somewhat agreed that system leadership shared relevant facts before making decisions.
• 79.9% agreed or somewhat agreed that the system sought input before making decisions
• 75% agreed or somewhat agreed that system-level decisions were good decisions in support of education

On school system operations:

• 93.6% agreed or somewhat agreed that they were familiar with the school system's budget constraints
• 93% agreed or somewhat agreed that the school system does a good job of providing school bus student transportation on a daily basis.
• 94% agreed or somewhat agreed that the school system does a good job of providing food services on a daily basis.
• 89.9% agreed or somewhat agreed that schools are clean
• 85.6% agreed or somewhat agreed that school are in good condition.
• 95.4% agreed or somewhat agreed that the scheduled holidays are the right ones for this community.

Employees said they knew the most about the services of these school system departments:

• Human Resources
• Teaching and Learning
• Student Services

Employees said they knew the least about the services of these school system departments:

• Administrative Technology
• Federal Programs
• Transportation

News and information sources:

Employees were asked to score the following news and information sources on value.   This is how the top five ranked, from highest to lowest:

• Email (96%)
• Supervisor (94.8%)
• GSCS website (94.7%)
• Communicator (92.8%)
• ParentLink (81.3%)

The gscs Communicator

• 64.7% of employees read the Communicator every week that is published
• 76.5% said it contains useful information that is new to them

Open ended responses

During the survey, there were several opportunities for open-ended comments, which will be reviewed by administrators and shared with the board of education. 548 comments were made.

• 16 commented on discussions with a school board member
• 58 commented on system-level decisions
• 26 commented on Budget and Finance    
• 35 commented on Values & Culture
• 53 commented on Operations
• 36 commented on Information sources
• 52 commented on Communicator
• 272 commented on School System Improvement (This was question #20 that Dr. Jones refers to in above column.)