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West Chatham Middle teacher says staff are "severely burnt out," cites 242 disciplinary referrals
Summary
A West Chatham Middle School teacher told the board during public comment that teachers are burned out, morale is low and student behavior is disrupting instruction; the speaker cited 242 disciplinary referrals processed this school year and called for stronger, veteran leadership.
A West Chatham Middle School teacher, Lauren Warra, used the public comment period at the May 7 meeting to urge the board to address leadership and discipline problems at her school.
"Teachers and staff are severely burnt out and morale is nearly non existent," Warra told the board, saying staff had "lost much of the joy we formerly found in teaching." She said teachers were carrying "the full weight of discipline, stability, and safety without the foundational support of strong leadership."
Warra told the board there had been "242 disciplinary referrals process this school year," and she said many teachers had stopped submitting referrals because they doubted those reports would prompt consequences. "This lack of consequences emboldens students to misbehave, disrupting the learning environment, and preventing other students from receiving the education they're entitled to," she said.
Warra asked the board to consider placing a veteran leader in the school who could support staff and restore a productive learning environment. She closed by saying the school community had had success in the past and deserved leadership that would partner with teachers rather than treat them as subordinates.
Board officers accepted the public comment; no formal board action was taken during the public comment period in the transcript excerpt.
