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Residents tell board rising student behavior is driving teachers from classrooms
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the Wichita school board they are concerned about teacher attrition tied to student behavior and lack of staff support in K-5 classrooms, urging the district to investigate and act.
Geneva Holloway, a longtime volunteer and community member, told the board that many teachers are leaving Wichita Public Schools, citing behavior challenges in elementary classrooms and a lack of staff support.
"Some of the schools, teachers tell me that the staff is not supportive of them," Holloway said. She described classroom disruption that interferes with instruction: "When you're having behavior problem in the classroom, you can't teach the other kids." Holloway recounted a personal volunteer incident from several years ago when a fourth grader overturned her table while she was working with reading students.
Holloway asked the board to "check into" teacher turnover and classroom behavior and to identify steps that might bring teachers back. She emphasized early grades (K-5) and said her volunteer experience before the pandemic shaped her perspective.
Why it matters: Public commenters said classroom behavior and insufficient staff support are driving teacher departures at a time when the district is discussing facilities and program changes. Teacher retention affects continuity of instruction and school operations, particularly in early grades.
What the board heard: Holloway urged site visits and a district review of the causes of teacher departures; no formal board action was recorded in response to the public comment during the meeting.
