Buncombe board agrees to staff and principal surveys after NCSBA self‑assessment
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Summary
After reviewing results of a North Carolina School Boards Association self‑assessment, the Buncombe County Schools board endorsed next steps including sending the board evaluation prompts to staff and running an anonymous principal survey on central‑services support; board members also identified areas for improved linkage between agenda items and district goals.
The Buncombe County Schools Board of Education reviewed a North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) board self‑assessment during a Nov. 18 work session and agreed to next steps that include circulating the evaluation prompts to staff and running an anonymous principal survey about central‑services support.
Chair introduced the NCSBA survey results and asked members whether to proceed with additional self‑evaluation discussion prompts. The packet asked board members to consider strengths, areas for improvement and the top challenges facing the district. Board members answered that in several categories — notably linking agenda items to district goals and evaluating instructional programs — the board could improve its practices.
Mr. Cheatham suggested the board use its strategic plan as the primary filter when considering whether a budget request or program aligns with district priorities. Several members said they would like more frequent reviews of student programs and more transparency about how curriculum decisions map to strategic objectives.
Superintendent Jackson asked board approval to send the board survey to principals, directors and the leadership team, and proposed adding an anonymous principal survey about the support schools receive from central services. "I'd also like to take advantage of that opportunity to survey our principals again," Jackson said; board members consented to the additional principal‑focused questionnaire.
The chair proposed sending the three short reflection prompts to board members so they can be completed privately and then used to guide future work sessions. The board also discussed distributing the survey to directors and principals anonymously so staff feedback on board performance and central services can be used to guide improvement.
What’s next: Chair will circulate the NCSBA follow‑up prompts to board members; staff will deploy anonymous surveys to principals and leadership staff as approved by the board.
