Raising the next generation is a shared responsibility owned by all.
When families, communities and schools work together, students have the opportunity to flourish and the entire community benefits. For schools and districts across the United States, civic and family engagement is critical to the success of our educational system.
There is growing concern among Manitou Springs School District 14 parents, guardians and community members regarding the amount of turnover we are experiencing among senior staff throughout the district.
In the past three years, five principals at four schools have resigned or retired, with some departures happening quite abruptly. It is also rumored that D14 teachers will be leaving in unprecedented numbers this year.
And although many are quick to cast the blame on COVID-19, I am not convinced. These past few years have been very challenging and full of unknowns. We’ve had to readjust our focus. This was survival.
But now as the fog begins to lift, we become more aware of things that may have been taking place when our eyes were diverted.
As an educator for decades, turnover is a red flag for me. For both administrators and teaching staff, this often is a sign of lack of support, administration over-reach, manipulation, retaliation, and unrealistic demands and expectations.
First and foremost, we should be asking what kinds of pressures are being put on leadership that are driving them to leave our district? What do we need to learn?
Second, who is making these decisions that have huge outcomes?
Is the D14 Board of Education privy to the overarching challenges our administrators and teachers face, and offering much-needed support? Asking to understand the dynamics when an administrator is considering other opportunities or being “pushed out”?
Are decisions being made in a vacuum, by one individual, without considering multiple perspectives and those who will be severely impacted?
For many of us, this might sound familiar. Years ago, I heard stories from peers who taught in Harrison School District 2 about administrators, teachers, and support staff. The teachers were intimidated, often being held to standards that set them up to fail.
They were disrespected and often demoralized for not falling in line. Retaliation was a fear.
These former D2 employees now often refer to themselves as “survivors.”
I’m confident that the Manitou community does not subscribe to those tactics nor support a district that utilizes them.
Third, is the community’s vision for District 14 in alignment with that of the district’s vision? An example of this is the misguided bond initiative that failed last fall.
Although I’m certain every resident, community member and business owner wants strong schools and successful students, the inflated price tag was unrealistic and, for the first time ever, a bond was unsuccessful in Manitou.
We are given the IMPRESSION of being listened to, but are we truly heard?
Lastly, as a community, are we willing to stand up and speak out for administrators, teachers, staff members and paras? Asking questions to be assured we retain happy, inspired and supported teachers with leaders who represent the essence of who we are?
Retaliation is a fear. We need to do everything we can to keep these quality teachers in our district.
Are we up to the task of making sure our kids get the education and experience so desired by attending D14?
A teacher recently shared that, “in Manitou, you knew you weren’t going to take home the biggest paycheck but it was the tight-knit culture and family-like environment that made you want to work here. You were supported in Manitou. That is not the case anymore.”
I hope we all can take a moment in the next seven days to privately ask a teacher or staff member their thoughts on the district’s future direction or possibly their opinions on why, in a world that needs educators and instructional leaders, Manitou seems to be driving them away.
I also hope you will join me at the District 14 Board meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, April 18, to ask questions and engage. Information about signing up for public comment is available at www.mssd14.org/district_information/board_of_education.
I believe Manitou is a very special place — let’s make sure our voices are heard.
Brenda Holmes Stanciu lives in Manitou Springs and has two daughters attending District 14 schools. She has been in education for 29 years.