School staff survey

Striving to share teachers’ opinions about what works in the classroom, the FEA joined with the grassroots community group, Focus on Fluvanna’s Future, to administer an independent survey of school staff. Their results showed that most recently (as of January 2015) only 18 percent of survey respondents agreed that school decision making is transparent and that staff opinions can be heard in a risk-free environment. At the March School Board meeting, FFF presented its findings. Even though more staff responded to the FFF/FEA survey than the School Board survey, Board members appeared uninterested in the results.
The Code of Virginia (ss22.1-253.13:7) calls for each local School Board to give consideration to the views of its employees by a system of two-way communication, discussing matters of concern in a constructive manner. The FEA deeply appreciates the community support behind the independent survey and its presentation to the School Board, and we will continue all efforts to persuade school decision makers to value the voice of teachers and others.