Board debate over district employee survey stalls amid agenda dispute
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Summary
Board member Mister Dukes moved to endorse a district-developed employee survey; proponents argued for local customization and a live dashboard, while other trustees said the motion was not properly on the posted agenda and blocked an immediate vote.
A motion to create a district-endorsed employee survey touched off a procedural dispute at the Anderson School District 5 board meeting, leaving the proposal unresolved.
Board member Mister Dukes moved that the board, in collaboration with administration, endorse development of a district employee survey and present the draft for board approval by March. Dukes said a locally endorsed survey would give staff voice and provide a live dashboard for board access.
Opposing trustees objected that the proposal was not a properly noticed agenda item and therefore could not be voted on that night. One board member said, “We are not able to vote on this because this wasn't on our agenda,” citing procedural rules. Dukes and other supporters countered that the superintendent’s report and state task-force recommendations included survey materials and that a motion germane to that topic should be allowable.
Superintendent Kelly said the district has participated in the state teacher working-conditions survey in 2024 and 2025; she said the state handles distribution and reporting and that it was not yet clear whether the state survey would continue past 2026. The superintendent told the board that administration could assist in designing a district instrument and provide live data access if the board so directed.
Because members disagreed about Robert's Rules and agenda procedure in the audible record, the board did not take a final vote on Dukes’ motion during the provided segment of the meeting. Dukes’ proposal remains a pending item until the board clarifies agenda placement and brings a draft back for consideration.
What happens next: Administration and the board must resolve whether to place a district-survey proposal on a future agenda; if placed, Dukes’ plan calls for administration to present a draft survey and dashboard for board approval by March.