Such actions, which undermine the authority of the superintendent, are not only a violation of SACS accreditation standards, but of official board policy as well, the report noted.
In its investigation, the review team discovered “a pattern of high frequency of Board meetings.”
While board policy permits one regular monthly meeting, as well as work sessions and called meetings as needed, the report noted that between July and October 2009 (up to the date of the team’s visit), the board had held a total of 18 meetings, including workshops and special-called meetings.
“We have a lot of issues and we’re trying to get on top of them,” said board vice chairman Rickey Johnson in defense of the number of meetings. “Just give us a little time – we’re going to get things worked out.”
As was the case for each allegation, the Special Review Team was forced to rely solely on documentary evidence, since the district had adopted a defensive strategy of denying access to district personnel and members of the community for interview purposes. Thus, the Team was only able to conclude that:
“Simply by virtue of having had so many Board meetings, the Team is inclined to support the allegation that such action creates a perception of micromanaging district and school operations.”
In a separate matter, the board voted 5-2 Tuesday night to instruct their public relations manager to clear with the board any statements made to the media, a move that could be considered micromanagement.
“I don’t think it was our intent to strip the PR person of their ability to do their job,” Johnson said. “We just wanted her to let the board know what was going on.”
In addition, the Review Team noted a “pattern of high turn-over of superintendents for the district,” pointing out that the district has employed nine superintendents from the late 1980s to the present, as well as five interim and/or acting superintendents.
“Such superintendent turn-over clearly appears to have caused a loss of leadership continuity,” the report states.
The report also states that, regarding the role of the superintendent and the school board, the “Board is not completely abiding by its own policies.”
The school board is currently in the middle of another superintendent search, having narrowed the field of candidates to five.
Saturday, the district will present to the public the final three candidates at an open forum at 9 a.m. at the Fairfield Central High School auditorium.
“We need a superintendent who’s going to get in there and make it theirs,” Johnson said. “That’s what I’m hoping to get – somebody who’s going to straighten out everything that’s going on.”
Tuesday: the conclusion of the findings of the Special Review Team.
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