Below is taken from a comment. These are not my words, but I wish they were.
In business, there are certain leadership characteristics and smart business plans that drive whether or not such a business will be successful. In today’s time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you must hold a higher ed degree to be successful (look at some online businesses started by high school students). Instead, you can learn from other examples of profitable businesses to glean best practices.
Education is different.
I’ve never quite been convinced that school boards are in the best interest of educating our children. Yes, education is a business “on the books” and yes, there are certain business practices that must be implemented (handling budgets, especially), if a school system to be run efficiently. But, in no other business in the world is there such a need for MORE than just good business practices.
Teachers and administrators are required to become experts in the field of CHILDREN. They must hold degrees with coursework in child development, teaching methodology, pedagogy, curriculum, research and best practices. They are required to intern under a master teacher and then learn from a mentor upon becoming a beginning teacher. They are required to commit to ongoing professional development to renew their certifications. They are required to meet the needs of each child, no matter the disability, background, social/economical status, prior knowledge, or home life.
They are required to be held accountable for their performance in the classroom, and trust me- they are. Teachers today are worried about test scores (despite the fact that almost all of them believe that one test will never show what a child can do), the pressure of all those tests, how to prepare EVERY child for the future. They spend more time thinking about how to help their students than they do with their own family. They study research to make sure they are implementing best practices in the classroom. They write grants to get more funding for the things they know their students need.
Determining what is best for our students doesn’t take just some good business sense. It takes EDUCATION. That’s right. The same thing we demand of our teachers must be a requirement of those who choose our school leaders. It is so heart wrenching to hear members of the board say that they know who is best suited to run a school. You have no idea.
You don’t know what kind of principal it takes to lead a school to success. It isn’t the same as choosing employees in a business world. Deciding whom is the best leader for a school requires that you be educated in the many facets of children and learning. You must know the research in child development, school leadership, 21st century skills, how school environment affects learning, and pedagogy.
School boards have the legal rights and responsibilities to run a school system (whether I agree or not). But, most of the time, school boards recognize that the superintendent they hire has much more knowledge in the art and science of teaching, learning, and leadership of schools than they do, and so they leave the decision making that requires such knowledge to him/her. Things like choosing school leaders (and teachers, for that matter).
Our school board has decided to have a say in the hiring of every single employee of the school system, rather than trusting our principals and superintendent, who have advanced degrees in teaching and leading, to decide. What in the world could the members of this board have to say to defend such actions? Nothing, other than quoting from school board documentation that states basically that they “are the boss.”
That’s just not a good enough reason. Being the boss doesn’t mean you have to make all the decisions, or micromanage the system, or develop an arrogant nature. In fact, good leadership qualities are quite the opposite. They are part of a team, they rely on the strengths and knowledge of those around them, and they inspire and challenge.
Educators are good about making the best of bad situations. They search out support and resources when none is given, they fight from the trenches while the rest of the world fights from the political rings and state offices, and they empower their students to become learners. So, we’ll keep keeping on, despite what decisions are made in board meetings. We always have, for the sake of the children.
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It's interesting to note what the NC legislature has to say about the duties of the local BOE and superintendent. Here goes...
§ 115C 276. Duties of superintendent.
(a) In General. – All acts of local boards of education, not in conflict with State law, shall be binding on the superintendent, and it shall be his duty to carry out all rules and regulations of the board.
All the powers, duties and responsibilities imposed by law upon the superintendents of county administrative units shall, with respect to city administrative units, be imposed upon, and exercised by, the superintendents of city administrative units, in the same manner and to the same extent, insofar as applicable thereto, as such powers and duties are exercised and performed by superintendents of county administrative units with reference to said county administrative units.
(b) To Serve as Secretary to Board. – Superintendents shall be ex officio secretary to their respective boards of education. As secretary to the board of education, the superintendent shall record all proceedings of the board, issue all notices and orders that may be made by the board, and otherwise be executive officer of the board of education. He shall see that the minutes of the meetings of the board of education are promptly and accurately recorded in the minute book which shall be kept in the office of the board of education and be open at all times to public inspection.
(c) To Monitor Condition of School Plants. – It shall be the duty of every superintendent to visit the schools of his unit, to keep his board of education informed at all times as to the condition of the school plants in his administrative unit, and to make immediate provisions to remedy any unsafe or unsanitary conditions existing in any school building.
(d) To Attend Professional Meetings. – It shall be the duty of every superintendent to attend professional meetings conducted by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and such other professional meetings as are necessary to keep him informed on educational matters.
(e) To Report Certain Information to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. – It shall be the duty of every superintendent to furnish as promptly as possible to the State Superintendent when requested by him, information and statistics on any phase of the school work in his administrative unit.
(f) To Administer Oaths When Required. – The superintendent shall have authority to administer oaths to teachers and all other school officials when an oath is required of the same.
(g) To Familiarize Himself with and to Implement State Policies and Rules. – It shall be the duty of the superintendent to keep himself thoroughly informed as to all policies promulgated and rules adopted by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education, for the organization and government of the public schools. The superintendent shall notify and inform his board of education, supervisors, principals, teachers, janitors, bus drivers, and all other persons connected with the public schools, of such policies and rules. In the performance of these duties, the superintendent shall confer, work, and plan with all school personnel to achieve the best methods of instruction, school organization and school government.
(h) To Hold Necessary Teachers' Meetings. – The superintendent shall hold each year such teachers' meetings and study groups as in his judgment will improve the efficiency of the instruction in the schools of his unit.
(i) To Distribute Certain Supplies and Information. – The superintendent shall distribute to all school personnel all blanks, registers, report cards, record books, bulletins, and all other supplies and information furnished by the State Superintendent and the State Board of Education and give instruction for their proper use.
(j) To Assist the Local Board in Electing School Personnel. – It shall be the duty of the superintendent to recommend and the board of education to elect all principals, teachers, and other school personnel in the administrative unit.
(k) To Submit Organization Reports and Other Information to the State Board. – Each year the superintendent of each local school administrative unit shall submit to the State Board of Education statistical reports, certified by the chairman of the board of education, showing the organization of the schools in his unit and any additional information the State Board may require. At the end of the second month of school each year, local boards of education, through the superintendent, shall report school organization, employees' duties, class sizes, and teaching loads to the State Board of Education as provided in G.S. 115C 47(10). As of February 1 each year, local boards of education, through the superintendent, shall report all exceptions to individual class size and daily teaching load maximums that occur at that time.
(l) To Maintain Personnel Files and to Participate in Firing and Demoting of Staff. – The superintendent shall maintain in his office a personnel file for each teacher that contains complaints, commendations, or suggestions for correction or improvement about the teacher and shall participate in the firing and demoting of staff, as provided in G.S. 115C 325.
(m) To Furnish Boundaries of Special Taxing Districts. – It shall be the duty of county superintendents, and of city superintendents where their administrative units are not coterminous with city or township limits, to furnish tax listers at tax listing time the boundaries of each taxing district and city administrative unit in which a special tax will be levied to the end that all property in such district or unit may be properly listed.
(n) To Issue Salary Vouchers. – The authority for a superintendent to issue vouchers for the salary of all school employees, whether paid from State or local funds, shall be a monthly payroll, prepared on forms furnished by the State Board of Education and containing all information required by the State Board of Education. This monthly payroll shall be signed by the principal of the school. If any voucher so drawn is chargeable against district funds, the amount so charged and the district to which said amount is charged shall be specified on the voucher. The superintendent shall not approve the vouchers for the pay of principals or teachers until the monthly and annual reports required by the local board of education are made.
(o) To Participate in the School Budget and Finances. – The superintendent shall participate in the school budget and finances, as provided in Article 31 of this Chapter.
(p) To Require Teachers and Principals to Make Reports. – The superintendents may require teachers to make reports to the principals and principals to make reports to the superintendent. Any superintendent who knowingly and willfully makes or procures another to make any false report or records, requisitions, or payrolls, respecting daily attendance of pupils in the public schools, payroll data sheets, or other reports required to be made to any board or officer in the performance of his duties, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and the certificate of such person to teach in the public schools of North Carolina shall be revoked by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
(q) To Assign School Principals. – Subject to local board policy, the superintendent shall have the authority to assign principals to school buildings. When making an assignment, the superintendent shall consider (i) whether a principal has demonstrated the leadership ability to increase student achievement at a school where conditions indicated a significant risk of low student performance; and (ii) how to maintain stability at a school where, during the time the principal has been at a school, there has been significant improvement on end of course or end of grade tests and other accountability measures developed by the State Board of Education.
(r) To Maintain Student Discipline. – The superintendent shall maintain student discipline in accordance with Article 27 of this Chapter and shall keep data on each student suspended for more than 10 days or expelled. This data shall include the race, gender, and age of each student, the duration of suspension for each student, whether an alternative education was considered or provided for each student, and whether a student had multiple suspensions.
(s) To Provide for Annual Evaluations and Action Plans. – The superintendent shall provide for the annual evaluation of all certified employees assigned to low performing schools that did not receive an assistance team. The superintendent shall determine whether all principals and assistant principals who evaluate certified employees are trained in the proper administration of the employee evaluations and the development of appropriate action plans. The superintendent also shall arrange for principals and assistant principals who evaluate certified employees to receive the appropriate training.
(t) Report on DWI Vehicle Forfeiture. – The superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, of each county school system shall report by October 1 of each year to the Department of Public Instruction the receipts received by the county school from the sale of seized vehicles and all costs to the county board of education for administering the DWI motor vehicle forfeiture law. The Department of Public Instruction shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee annually by December 1 the results of these reports filed by the county school superintendents under this section. (1955, c. 1372, art. 5, s. 24; art. 6, ss. 3 6, 10, 15; art. 17, s. 6; art. 18, s. 7; 1959, c. 1294; 1963, c. 688, s. 3; 1965, c. 584, ss. 5, 6, 16; 1969, c. 539; 1973, c. 770, ss. 1, 2; 1975, c. 965, s. 3; 1977, c. 1088, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 975, ss. 17, 18, 24; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1025, s. 12; c. 1086, s. 89(c); 1993, c. 169, s. 2; c. 210, s. 4; c. 539, s. 882; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 386, s. 2; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 716, s. 25; 1998 5, s. 6; 1998 182, s. 38; 1998 220, s. 10.)
Article 19.
Principals and Supervisors.
§ 115C 284. Method of selection and requirements.
(a) Principals and supervisors shall be elected by the local boards of education upon the recommendation of the superintendent, in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 115C 276(j).
(b) In the city administrative units, principals shall be elected by the board of education of such administrative unit upon the recommendation of the superintendent of city schools.
(c) The State Board of Education shall have entire control of certifying all applicants for supervisory and professional positions in all public elementary and high schools of North Carolina; and it shall prescribe the rules and regulations for the renewal and extension of all certificates, and shall determine and fix the salary for each grade and type of certificate which it authorizes. The State Board of Education shall require each applicant for an initial certificate or graduate certificate to demonstrate the applicant's academic and professional preparation by achieving a prescribed minimum score at least equivalent to that required by the Board on November 30, 1972, on a standard examination appropriate and adequate for that purpose. If the Board shall specify the National Teachers Examination for this purpose, the required minimum score shall not be lower than that which the Board required on November 30, 1972. The Board shall not issue provisional certificates for principals.
The Board shall issue a one year provisional assistant principal's certificate to an employee of a local board only if: (i) the local board determines there is a shortage of persons who hold or are qualified to hold a principal's certificate and the employee enrolls in an approved program leading to a masters degree in school administration before the provisional certificate expires; or (ii) the employee is enrolled in an approved masters in school administration program and is participating in the required internship under the masters program. The Board shall extend the provisional certificate for a total of no more than two additional years while the employee is completing the program.
(c1) It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to maintain the highest quality principal and assistant principal education programs in order to enhance the competence of professional personnel certified in North Carolina. To ensure that principal and assistant principal preparation programs are upgraded to reflect a more rigorous course of study, the State Board of Education shall submit to the General Assembly not later than March 1, 1992, a plan to promote this policy. In developing this plan, the State Board shall consider (i) requiring these programs to include additional preparation for site based decision making and for the additional autonomy being granted to local school units, (ii) enhancing program entrance requirements to include assessment of an applicant's ability to complete the program and to perform as a principal, and (iii) enhancing the overall content of the programs.
The State Board of Education, as lead agency in coordination and cooperation with the University Board of Governors and such other public and private agencies as are necessary, shall refine the several certification requirements, standards for approval of institutions of principal and assistant principal education, standards for institution based innovative and experimental programs, and standards for improved efficiencies in the administration of the approved programs.
(d) Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 385, s. 1.
(d1) It is the policy of the State of North Carolina that, subsequent to the adoption of a system of classroom teacher differentiation and prerequisites to candidacy for principal, a classroom teacher must have attained at least the second level of differentiation, have at least four years of classroom teaching experience, and possess, at least, a Masters Degree in Education Administration. This subsection shall not apply to educational personnel certified as of July 1, 1984.
(e) It shall be unlawful for any board of education to employ or keep in service any principal or supervisor who neither holds nor is qualified to hold a certificate in compliance with the provision of the law or in accordance with the regulations of the State Board of Education.
(f) The allotment of classified principals shall be one principal for each duly constituted school with seven or more state allotted teachers.
(g) Local boards of education shall have authority to employ supervisors in addition to those that may be furnished by the State when, in the discretion of the board of education, the schools of the local school administrative unit can thereby be more efficiently and more economically operated and when funds for the same are provided in the current expense fund budget. The duties of such supervisors shall be assigned by the superintendent with the approval of the board of education.
(h) All principals and supervisors employed in the public schools of the State or in schools receiving public funds, shall be required either to hold or be qualified to hold a certificate in compliance with the provision of the law or in accordance with the regulations of the State Board of Education. (1955, c. 1372 art. 5, ss. 4, 27; art. 6, s. 6; art. 18, ss. 1 4; 1963, c. 688, s. 3; 1965, c. 584, ss. 6, 20.1; 1969, c. 539; 1971, c. 1188, s. 1; 1973, cc. 236, 733; c. 770, ss. 1, 2; 1975, c. 437, s. 7; c. 686, s. 1; c. 731, ss. 1, 2; c. 965, s. 3; 1977, c. 1088, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1103, s. 4; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 975, s. 16; 1989, c. 385, s. 1; 1991, c. 689, s. 200(a); 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1030, s. 28; 1993, c. 392, s. 2; 1999 30, s. 1; 1999 394, s. 1; 2006 264, s. 56(b).)
First of all, my compliments to the author. You are obviously a very articulate, well-read person. While reading the comment, the first thought that came to mind was "don't judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes." I think this comment is particularly relevant considering the composition of our current board. Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Armour are the only two professional educators currently serving on our school board, much to the chagrin of others. I am sure that in the past there have been other board members who did not have the formal education that is comparable to what licensed teachers must obtain. However, the difference seems to be that those board members were willing to make decisions based on objective evidence and were willing to admit that they did/not have certain areas of expertise. In those areas, it appears as if they were willing to listen to the superintendent, who by law, has received a formal education and met licensing requirements to help make those decisions (including personnel decisions) as well as the willingness to listen to community input and then actually act upon it.
I am especially troubled at the detrimental effect the current BOE members (actually 5 of them) seem to have on the overall attitude of the school system and community. Many parents and teachers have expressed feelings of frustration and hopelessness as they feel they do not have a voice, and if they do, they are too paranoid to voice it for fear that certain board members will be intent upon finding out who they are (for ex. Ms. Norman's comments on a recent BOE audio file demanding to know who made a comment about Mr. Kenney's position as the 5th in line for recommendation, seemingly for some sort of retribution.)
Many have posted comments about looking to the future and the possibility of finding candidates that will be more professional and well-suited to serve on the BOE. I would also encourage you to show your appreciation/gratitude for the two candidates that some members of the BOE did not approve before settling on the chosen princiapal. It would be a travesty to lose either of these professionals to a different system and I'm sure they do not receive nearly as many "thanks" as they deserve.
In parting, I would offer these challenges to the current school board members that have NOT served as professional educators for a consistent basis:
Would you be willing to fill in for a teacher, even for a day, to see the difficulties they face in the classroom?
Would you be willing to fill in for a principal for a day?
Are you aware of the amount of money that teachers/principals spend out of their own pocket to ensure that students have basic necessities that are NOT being provided at home?
What would you score on one of the many required state licensing tests to become a certified teacher in NC?
Do you find it hypocritical at all to vote against the recommendation of the superintendent, not once, but twice, about the hiring of personnel (people he has known for several years)?
Do you think it is wise to indicate to a citizen of the community that he is "out of his head/mind" just because he is willing to attend at BOE meeting and publicly ask questions/make comments with which you may not agree?
Do you think it is wise to tell a very well respected, professional educator from the community that she should go back to work and worry about the students with whom she is entrusted (as if she is somehow not doing those things)?
Do you think it is wise to blame the drop-out rate on a particular grade/grades instead of considering other possible factors (family, substance abuse, etc)?
Do you think it is wise to say that the BOE members has information to which it is "privy" in order to make a decision about personnel issues, but then refuse to talk about it out loud, leaving everyone in the community to just make up rumors or assume the worst instead?
Are you aware that many people do not/have lost respect for you due to recent actions?
Do you think it is wise to state on BOE audio minutes that your phone number/email information is public, then complain when someone acts upon it?
Do you think it is wise to allege that you are acting upon what was requested by the community, but feel the need to have a police officer called to the BOE meeting?
Do you realize that some of the people did vote for you, wanting a change, but now vow to speak out against you because you have not fulfilled the duties as you promised you would?
How would you respond to a student that said they didn't need to go to college and then cited you as an example of why NOT to do?
Do you plan on being re-elected?
I think it is clear that what the voters wanted was a change in leadership and that if the superintendents job was an elected position, he would have been voted out along with all the other bums that got their due on election day. what i'm hearing from all or you is sour grapes so just shut up and let them have their turn. all your side did was screw things up so these people can't do any worse.
Burleson was a part of covering up a crime. Just another so-called christian who would stab you in the back if it benefited anyone he knew.
Well written article. Is sounds as if whomever wrote it needs to consider running for the school board. They're actually putting the teachers, principals and students before self. How refreshing.
I am certainly glad that the superintnedent's position is not elected. The voters of Burke County have demonstrated that education, professionalism, concern for students, and high moral character are not electable traits (at least for school board members). Who would the voters elect as superintendent? Tracy Norman who cannot speak 2 sentences that are gramatically correct? Tim Buff whose marital fidelity is continually in question? Rob Hairfield with his drunk driving record?
David Burleson is not perfect but he is a moral, well educated man whose first concern is always the students of Burke County.
You forget Mr Martinat's record why did you? We had him for 8 years leading finance and he has more financial trouble than anyone I have seen. A victim he claims.
To the 10:30 AM, February 9th anonymous comment:
Well, now the Finance Committee chairman, as appointed by King Buff, is Mr. Hairfield - who can't seem to keep a job. Let's see, he left the Navy after nineteen years. One more year and he would have had his "twenty". Why did he leave and miss out on all that retirement? He was a parole officer briefly. He was fired.
He worked at Dana briefly. Not sure why he left. He did simple tax returns briefly. obviously, longevity doesn't seem to be his strong suit. And you are saying Hairfield is a smart choice - for ANYTHING??
Maybe Buff will hire him as a cashier - but only briefly.
Mr. Armour will you get a life and get off these blogs? Go to your counseling sessions!
I will, if you will, Rob...:)
Please do not post comments pretending to be those that you speak of/for
You know who is really suffering? - this kids in our county. Lets support Mr. Burleson. I see him at almost every school event, every funeral with in the system, even visting families during hard times, where is the school board during those times? I would like to see our school board members take a class room for one week, then maybe we could support them. But I dont think some of them could even get on the sub list! Mr. Burleson, you have no fear, this county is behind you and the minute they hurt you, you will be surpised at the outpouring behind you, and the the amount of honest good people that will support you, not the crooks!
most of the school board cant even run thier homes, marriage, children. I guess that mean they can run the education system! Any body want to be in court Feb 20th to see this in action? Lets pour out in HIGH support for our board and set in court feb 20. http://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars.Offense.do?submit=submit&case=1102007006966&court=CR&defendant=NORMAN,BLAKE,THOMAS&courtDate=02/20/2008&county=BURKE&session=AM&courtRoom=0002
If David Breaks a rule or policy he should be reprimanded. I would love to see david investigated for the east burke theft issue. He would resign for fear of what the truth would bring.
I think you would be surprised if you knew the truth about the Anderson incident. I believe David and the rest of the administration would have nothing to fear from any sort of investigation into the matter. In fact, they would probably welcome it, so the public could finally put this incidence behind them.
Why didn't they do it right to start with? You can't just keep swepting dirt under the rug!!!
What do you think was swept under the rug?
To all of you insinuating that Mr. Burleson "swept something under the rug" with the Anderson case, you could not be more wrong. Please do not comment on things to which you have no idea. The rules were followed, as they are outlined. so stop searching for something to blame Mr. Burleson for. Instead, why don't we discuss the lovely board which as been assembled and how they are destroying every positive change which has occurred in BCPS over the past several years? They are the most unqualified and unprofessional board assembled in decades. Please, to all of you out there who agree, VOICE your concerns. Support those who only wish to better the education of Burke County's children.
And Tracy, try to stop flirting with everyone...it is disgusting.
whore
what a class act you haters are turning out to be. Thank God you have a blog to air your frustration at not always getting your way or you would end up shooting somebody something besides the bird. It's easy to see that you are all Republicans, your VP is not a very good shot either.
Would you be the same breed of Democrat that believed Bill Clinton didn't inhale, or do you just like his "tuna flavored" cigars?
When you act like trash you get treated that way, democrap or republican. Trash is trash, and scam is scam. Get rid of the scam trash school board!
I think I would not want to inhale around a bunch of brain farts like you who would not recognize a leader if he bit you in the ass. I promise you that what the country has had to inhale the past 7 years has almost suffocated the life out of this country.
Hmm...I wonder what you might have said without that Burke County education.
Now that was funny! Geterdone!!
You can tell who they voted for! They talk just like the current board. How funny!
Your green is showing....
Only at school board meetings...
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