A Tale of Two Schools

This is part six in our series. It is a tale of two very different schools. We begin with the summary followed by the comments. ~ Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. ~ Winston Churchill

Pleasantdale School District 107 School Climate Staff Insights Survey - 2014 Results Summary Principal

Question: Please indicate your level of agreement for each item.  (items are sorted by average highest to lowest) Item Response Count %   My principal presents a positive image to the school community. percentages based on n=46 Strongly agree 22 47.82 Agree 23 50.0 Disagree 0 0.0   Strongly disagree 1 2.17 Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.41   s= 0.72   My principal treats me with respect. percentages based on n=47 Strongly agree 26 55.31 Agree 17 36.17 Disagree 2 4.25 Strongly disagree 2 4.25 Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.34   s= 1.01   My principal has a strong presence in my school. percentages based on n=47 Strongly agree 13 27.65 Agree 25 53.19 Disagree 6 12.76 Strongly disagree 2 4.25 Don't know/doesn't apply 1 2.12 Average Response: 3.89   s= 1.09   My principal is focused on making our school successful. percentages based on n=46 Strongly agree 11 23.91 Agree 27 58.69 Disagree 4 8.69 Strongly disagree 3 6.52 Don't know/doesn't apply 1 2.17 Average Response: 3.86   s= 1.09   My principal recognizes my ideas or suggestions for improvement. percentages based on n=47 Strongly agree 10 21.27 Agree 26 55.31 Disagree 6 12.76 Strongly disagree 2 4.25 Don't know/doesn't apply 3 6.38 Average Response: 3.81   s= 1.05   My principal is responsive to the needs and concerns of employees. percentages based on n=47 Strongly agree 10 21.27 Agree 21 44.68 Disagree 13 27.65 Strongly disagree 2 4.25 Don't know/doesn't apply 1 2.12 Average Response: 3.52   s= 1.23   My principal creates an atmosphere that is conducive to success. percentages based on n=46 Strongly agree 9 19.56 Agree 23 50.0 Disagree 8 17.39 Strongly disagree 5 10.86 Don't know/doesn't apply 1 2.17 Average Response: 3.51   s= 1.29   My principal is respected by staff members. percentages based on n=47 Strongly agree 6 12.76 Agree 22 46.8 Disagree 13 27.65 Strongly disagree 4 8.51 Don't know/doesn't apply 2 4.25 Average Response: 3.28   s= 1.24   My principal has provided support for new curricular initiatives. percentages based on n=47 Strongly agree 6 12.76 Agree 19 40.42 Disagree 11 23.4 Strongly disagree 6 12.76 Don't know/doesn't apply 5 10.63 Average Response: 3.19   s= 1.29   My principal is consistent when administering policies concerning employees. percentages based on n=46 Strongly agree 7 15.21 Agree 16 34.78 Disagree 13 28.26 Strongly disagree 7 15.21 Don't know/doesn't apply 3 6.52 Average Response: 3.06   s= 1.37   My principal communicates well within the school. percentages based on n=47 Strongly agree 6 12.76 Agree 17 36.17 Disagree 16 34.04 Strongly disagree 6 12.76 Don't know/doesn't apply 2 4.25 Average Response: 3.02   s= 1.33   My principal is familiar with best practices and current pedagogical research. percentages based on n=47 Strongly agree 4 8.51 Agree 14 29.78 Disagree 13 27.65 Strongly disagree 7 14.89 Don't know/doesn't apply 9 19.14 Average Response: 2.86   s= 1.24   My principal is an effective leader of our building. percentages based on n=46 Strongly agree 4 8.69 Agree 14 30.43 Disagree 18 39.13 Strongly disagree 7 15.21 Don't know/doesn't apply 3 6.52 Average Response: 2.76   s= 1.28   My principal has set a clear vision, strategy and timeline for Common Core and NGSS implementation. percentages based on n=46 Strongly agree 2 4.34 Agree 7 15.21 Disagree 18 39.13 Strongly disagree 7 15.21 Don't know/doesn't apply 12 26.08 Average Response: 2.38   s= 1.03

Pleasantdale School District 107 School Climate Staff Insights Survey - 2014 Comments Principal  Comments/suggestions: -- I do not think my principal understands how important common core is to our teaching. How can we align to the core if we have no training? That should be our priority. No one feels comfortable with common core because we haven't spent time on the standards. We have spent time on another less important initiative. -- Look within the talent we already have before hiring from outside the building. It's obvious where new hires come from. -- Our Principal is very likeable, but lacks the leadership and management qualities necessary to be effective in his role. He has a stronger allegiance to the parent community than his own staff. The majority of open positions are consistently filled by someone personally related rather than very qualified and experienced staff members interested in seeking growth and opportunity within the district. -- My principal is a wonderful man with a heart of gold. He loves all the students and has a genuine respect for his staff. However, I feel that he lacks knowledge in curricular areas and best practice. I also feel that he lacks the power necessary to make changes when his staff approach him with issues. -- Matt is a kind, caring principal. He is very present in the school community and the children know and respect him. He is respectful, kind, and optimistic. My interactions have been positive with him. He does seem wishy-washy with some decisions. -- My principal knows nothing about classroom instruction or best practices. The downward trend in test scores is due to the lack of leadership at all levels of the district. -- Sadly, it is clear that our principal has "favorites" and their wants and needs are addressed before all others. Furthermore, there is very little attempt to know staff on a personal basis. -- The level of respect I have for my building principal is very high because of his support and faith in my abilities in the classroom. He has always treated me and my students with the utmost respect and kindness. He is a good leader who wants his teachers involved in the decision making process. He encourages his staff to speak their mind. He makes requests in a respectful, clear way. -- My principle does not have the respect of the teachers/staff. I know of an incident where he has been asked to revise a schedule to help a teacher and that has not been done. The request has been made several times since at least Nov. -- The question "My principal has set a clear vision, strategy and timeline for Common Core and NGSS implementation" is unfair because our district does not have clear vision, strategy or timeline so how can the principal have one? -- I would like to see our staff meetings return to being run by the principal. I do not think the teachers need to worry about planning the meeting nor are they effective. We have lost so much in the way of leadership and community by having the meetings run this way. -- Matt means well and is a nice guy who truly wants to do well. He lacks leadership qualities to initiate and carry out change. -- The Special Education Team has not been represented on Lead Teacher for the length of this current contract because the contract underestimated the number of teams by 1 team. The administration believed that the Special Education Team no longer needed individual representation on the Lead Teacher team. That is totally disregards the Special Education Team and is unacceptable. -- 1. My principal (as mentioned earlier) is only as effective as the Superintendent will allow him to be. He tries to provide for us but is often refused his request. -- I put "disagree" with the statement for "my principal has set a clear vision, strategy and timeline for CC and ngss implementation" but I think it's important to remember that the state of Illinois has not set a timeline yet. Some states like New York, for example, have set target implementation dates but Illinois hasn't set anything. Illinois has not even decided if we are going to adopt NGSS nor have they even set a date on when they are going to decide whether or not we will adopt NGSS. I think it would be putting the cart before the horse for my principal to set NGSS dates for our district before we are even sure the state is going to adopt it. -- My principal is liked by the community and genuinely works on building positive relationships with students. However, he should be an integral part in curriculum planning. -- Matt is an effective principal. Have you ever seen him with the children? He is wonderful, caring, and genuine. I am proud to work with him. -- Our principal is a very nice person and is understanding to the families in the district. He also has an understanding of the personal needs of staff. He is not well versed in curriculum and best practice, therefore he is not the person I would go to in regards to these kinds of questions. -- I think my principal would be a different person with a different superintendent.

Pleasantdale School District 107 School Climate Staff Insights Survey - 2014 Results Summary Principal

Question: Please indicate your level of agreement for each item.  (items are sorted by average highest to lowest) Item Response Count %   My principal presents a positive image to the school community. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 18 66.66 Agree 9 33.33 Disagree 0 0.0   Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.66   s= 0.48   My principal is focused on making our school successful. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 16 59.25 Agree 11 40.74 Disagree 0 0.0   Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.59   s= 0.5   My principal treats me with respect. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 15 55.55 Agree 12 44.44 Disagree 0 0.0   Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.55   s= 0.51   My principal creates an atmosphere that is conducive to success. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 14 51.85 Agree 13 48.14 Disagree 0 0.0   Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.51   s= 0.51   My principal has a strong presence in my school. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 16 59.25 Agree 10 37.03 Disagree 1 3.7 Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.51   s= 0.7   My principal is respected by staff members. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 13 48.14 Agree 14 51.85 Disagree 0 0.0   Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.48   s= 0.51   My principal is an effective leader of our building. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 12 44.44 Agree 14 51.85 Disagree 0 0.0   Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 1 3.7 Average Response: 4.46   s= 0.5   My principal is familiar with best practices and current pedagogical research. percentages based on n=26 Strongly agree 9 34.61 Agree 15 57.69 Disagree 0 0.0   Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 2 7.69 Average Response: 4.37   s= 0.47   My principal has provided support for new curricular initiatives. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 9 33.33 Agree 14 51.85 Disagree 2 7.4 Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 2 7.4 Average Response: 4.19   s= 0.78   My principal is responsive to the needs and concerns of employees. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 9 33.33 Agree 16 59.25 Disagree 2 7.4 Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.18   s= 0.79   My principal is consistent when administering policies concerning employees. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 6 22.22 Agree 16 59.25 Disagree 1 3.7 Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 4 14.81 Average Response: 4.17   s= 0.6   My principal recognizes my ideas or suggestions for improvement. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 6 22.22 Agree 17 62.96 Disagree 1 3.7 Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 3 11.11 Average Response: 4.16   s= 0.6   My principal communicates well within the school. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 8 29.62 Agree 17 62.96 Disagree 2 7.4 Strongly disagree 0 0.0   Don't know/doesn't apply 0 0.0   Average Response: 4.14   s= 0.77   My principal has set a clear vision, strategy and timeline for Common Core and NGSS implementation. percentages based on n=27 Strongly agree 5 18.51 Agree 12 44.44 Disagree 5 18.51 Strongly disagree 1 3.7 Don't know/doesn't apply 4 14.81 Average Response: 3.65   s= 1.1

Principal

Comments/suggestions: -- I believe that the principal has the best intentions for making the school a better place. Perhaps he could do a better job with new district leadership and the support of an assistant principal. -- Great principal!! -- This would have been very different last year. He is trying to be very positive and give positive reinforcement. I do wonder if he has too much to do since the elimination of the Assistant Principal. He has been much more of a presence in the school and talks to the kids. -- I think he would have more time to focus on high needs if we still had an assistant principal. He is managing everything well, but think of what he could do if he could focus on more important things then schedules, subs, etc... -- My principal is stretched thin. He is here early and incredibly late. He is booked with meetings with staff and evaluations, responsibilities, that he does not split with someone else. As our staff becomes more and more non-tenured, the time commitment for evaluations increases. This will be perpetuated with staff retiring, moving on for better pay or other reasons. This is not a negative on him; it is the way it is. I believe that he is closely aligned with the Curriculum Coordinator and the Superintendent. When they have a plan, it is communicated to us. I feel supported and able to go to the office to discuss an initiative. -- I applaud our new principal for his presence, vision and ethusisasm. I do believe it has been a struggle since he is doing an assistant principal's job, as well. I feel that a full year under his belt will make next year stronger. He was hired pretty late in the summer and he has made huge positive changes already. -- He is very hard to get ahold of and does not respond to emails. -- Beacause the principal is new and we have in place so many problem areas that need to be fixed, i believe he is good, but with the Superintendent as his boss, it is hard to tell sometimes where directives are coming from and why. -- I feel that John is a breath of fresh air in the building and has had an uplifting effect on morale of both teachers and students. -- A tremendous amount of credit should be given to John for turning around the atmosphere in the building at the middle school. We are a much more welcoming school than in the past and the atmosphere is one of being successful and happy. He is also well versed in best practices and new common core initiatives. He also listens and values our opinions. -- My principal is stretched too thin! He has taken on all the expectations of the District and the current curricular demands. In addition, devotes an amazing amount of time to the students and the daily activites of the school day and beyond. What a refreshing presence to have our principal attend extra-curricular activities, create new and exciting activities for our students, initiate a positive behavior plan, spend time getting to know the students! I don't know what could be taken off his plate or if an assistant principal is still an option. I just don't want to lose his energies with the students to too many other demands. It is difficult for the principal to set the timeline, etc. for the Common Core and NGSS coming into the district this year. He must follow the expectations of the District and the Superintendent. However, he seems ready to support the staff and to take a look at the best way to be successful. -- I really respect John and think that his first priority and concern is the well-being and success of our students. I have found him to be very supportive and helpful this year. I think that he is doing the best with the situation that he is in. I do think that we need an assistant principal next year to help him carry the load that he has this year. There are times when I don't want to bother him because of all of the responsibilities and burdens that he has this year.