Workshop flags confidentiality, trust and professional-development gaps in Lee's Summit R-VII governance
Summary
In a governance workshop, a facilitator reported mixed survey responses about staff respect, confidentiality and PD effectiveness; the session called out interpersonal tensions (grudges) and asked the board to identify behaviors that make members feel devalued.
A governance workshop for Lee's Summit R-VII highlighted concerns about board culture, confidentiality and the usefulness of professional development. The facilitator reported mixed survey results and urged the board to discuss concrete examples and next steps.
The facilitator raised the question of which staff respondents meant when they answered whether district staff respect the board and suggested the board clarify whether references were to teachers, office staff or other employees. On confidentiality, the facilitator said the survey showed mixed responses and asked members to consider how breaches of confidentiality affect relationships and decision-making.
Professional development was another topic of contention. While some members answered that the board rarely participates in governance PD, the facilitator noted that the board has been active in professional learning opportunities and referenced the LEAD Summit as one PD option. The facilitator asked what additional information on PD effectiveness the board would like to receive to link training to instructional improvement.
The workshop also surfaced interpersonal friction: the facilitator said six of seven respondents agreed "some board members seem to hold grudges," and asked members to consider words or actions that cause colleagues to feel devalued. No formal motions or votes were taken; the facilitator said they would send the full report and slides and invited members to use a dot-vote to prioritize goals at a later meeting.
