Columbia Board of Education discussed work condition survey results

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Board of Education gave an update Thursday morning regarding a working conditions survey, which was administered to teachers and staff.

The administration reviewed the results of the survey and found different strengths and areas to grow. According to the meeting agenda, the survey identified four areas:

• District Leadership
• Assessment and Accountability
• Strengths and Retention
• Student Behavior

CPS Chief Human Resource Officer Michelle Holz told ABC 17 News that those four areas will be the main priorities of the district.

Each area identified recommendations made from the work conditions survey. District leadership recommendations from teachers and staff were to continue strengthening trust, leading transparently, open communication and focusing efforts where they matter most.

With assessment and accountability, recommendations were made to partner with principals and teacher leaders to reach academic goals and protect uninterrupted planning.

Strength and retention recommendations to continue to elevate and celebrate teacher leaders. Also, to continue strengthening retention by fostering a school environment where staff will feel connected and valued, with practical supports like timely maintenance, reasonable class sizes, trust in teachers’ practice, and strong support for effective building leaders.

In the area of student behavior, it is recommended that the district keep building on what is working in student behavior so classrooms stay safe, focused and supportive.

Holz said there is no set timeline for when these recommendations will be put in place. "I would say it's an ongoing process that we continue to get our teachers, our educators' feedback to make sure that we're listening to their voices and that we're taking their concerns very seriously," said Holz