Paul Russell - Halifax Regional School Board - School District 8

From:
Paul Russell

To:
Darce Fardy

Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 5:05 PM

Subject: Re: Right to Know

Hi Darce

I'd like to see a few things, related to the Board, demonstrate a lot more accountability.

First and foremost among this is something that can't be made public: teacher evaluations. I'd like to know, as a Board, how our individual teachers are doing. I'd like there to be a broad comprehensive standard that they are measured by. The results of this would be used to identify those teachers that need more help in one or more areas; or perhaps to recognize that we need to help them find a new line of work.

Our teachers have a very hard job. They have to manage extremely large class sizes, curriculum demands from the Province and from their principal, they are responsible to each of the parents of each of their children, and there are always budget issues. With all of that, teachers are the people who spend the most time most days with our kids.

A single teacher who is really good or really bad can make a students entire school experience also really good or really bad. This isn't limited to the single year that the student has that teacher. If the influence is profound enough then it follows them through the rest of their schooling.

I recognize that what I'm hoping for will take time and a lot of effort, but the rewards are worth it.

As far as openness: Most HR issues and issues around children have to be kept secret. If a student or teacher is suspected of committing a heinous act then the Board does not have the right to release information about that person to the public, only to the police. If a teacher is particularly bad at one thing or another then it's a HR issue and should be kept private. Public input will be helpful in remedying the situation, but that doesn't mean that we release the results to the public. Other than HR and student issues, however, I don't believe that there needs to be any secrecy. We shouldn't have backroom dealings with some companies in response for particular cost or technology benefits, for example.

If you have any further questions or comments please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Paul

http://www.paulrussellforhrsb.ca

http://www.hrsb.ns.ca/content/id/1075.html