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Board asks for staff-survey and exit-interview plan after summer resignations
Summary
Board members pressed administration for more data about summer resignations and asked to create an independent survey or exit-interview process to capture staff feedback and reduce turnover.
Several board members raised concerns about teacher resignations and broader personnel turnover during the Aug. 27 Anchor Bay School Board meeting, saying the district’s number of summer resignations felt high compared with nearby districts.
Board members asked for details: how many resignations were retirements, promotions or movement to other districts; how many were standard attrition; and whether problems within specific buildings warranted targeted interventions. Superintendent Tim Jankowski said the district conducts exit surveys and receives anonymous responses but does not routinely conduct face-to-face exit interviews. He also said some summer departures were due to promotions to administrative roles, childcare reasons or retirements; a subset of teachers left after short tenures for higher pay elsewhere.
Board member Miss Bergmeier asked for a process that might give trustees more direct visibility into causes of turnover. Several board members proposed a simple, short, regular employee survey (beginning, midpoint and end of school year) and an exit survey administered close to employees’ final day. The board discussed whether results should be collected and reviewed by the superintendent or by a board-commissioned committee to encourage candor.
Action requested: Board members asked administration to research how other districts and the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) manage staff surveys and exit interviews and to bring sample instruments and administration options back to the board within weeks. Members suggested the finance or policy committee could develop the process.
Why it matters: Staff turnover can affect classroom continuity, hiring costs and morale. The board said it wants earlier warning signs and data that could guide retention strategies.
Selected quote - “I would like to see a plan on how we can fix it,” Board Member Mister Green said.
Ending: Administration committed to bring survey and exit-interview options (including sample questionnaires and administration modes) to the board and to discuss committee placement for ongoing oversight.
