Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenter urges board to flip central-office decision-making to principals and teachers
Summary
A community member argued the district should decentralize authority to principals and teachers to improve school responsiveness and avoid closures if local referendums fail.
June Prichard told trustees South Bend should give principals, teachers and parents more control over school decisions rather than keeping authority centralized in the administration. "Why not allow teachers and principals to do their jobs, make the decisions that are best for their individual schools?" she said, arguing that local autonomy would let successful schools retain students and avoid closures.
Prichard used a market analogy and urged the board to reduce central-office spending and empower building leaders to set programs and services that meet local needs. The board did not take action on the suggestion tonight but collectors of public comment said community input would inform the strategic-plan process.
