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Longtime teacher tells board Cumberland County Schools need change to stop staff departures
Summary
A teacher with 25 years' experience told the board that teachers and support staff are leaving because they feel disrespected, underpaid and unsupported and urged administrative changes including a board liaison and relocation of some administrators into school buildings.
"My intent tonight is to make clear that it's time for a change," Cynthia Lee told the Cumberland County Board of Education during the public forum, identifying herself as a teacher in the district for more than six years and an educator for more than 25 years.
Lee said teachers and support staff are leaving because they feel "disrespected, unappreciated, limited, unsupported, underpaid, overworked, defamed, threatened, bullied, unsafe." She told the board that problems stem from administration, mismanagement of funds and a lack of intervention.
Lee urged several specific steps: create a board liaison position to serve as "the board's school and community pipeline" to keep members informed of school-level conditions; downsize central administration; relocate some administrative offices into school buildings; station administrative staff at school entrances and bus pickup/drop-off times; and reassign administrators to be more visible to students and staff. "It's time for a change," she said.
Lee also criticized district spending decisions, saying "millions of dollars have been directed towards buying ineffective curriculum materials and equipment and by giving money to contractors" for professional development that she said was not useful.
Ending
Lee concluded her three-minute public comment by asking the board to act on the changes she proposed. The board did not respond directly during the public forum; staff and trustees moved on to the formal agenda following public comment.
