School safety marks the top priority for those in the community providing online feedback for the Gaston County Schools’ superintendent search.
Surveys filled out by 264 people indicate their chief concern is finding a superintendent who understands how to provide safe environments for students and staff.
The second most important quality for the candidate: Knowing how to get staff, students, parents and the community to work together to help children learn, according to the survey results.
Gaston County’s school board has had a new superintendent on its radar since July when Reeves McGlohon announced he would retire at the end of December. McGlohon has held the top job more than seven years.
The N.C. School Boards Association, which has been hired to conduct the superintendent search, coordinated the online surveys.
When the surveys became available, school board Vice Chairman Jeff Ramsey said the board will look at all responses as the hiring process continues.
Gaston County Schools’ staff members were invited to take a similar survey, and 718 employees completed it.
Their No. 1 concern is for the Board of Education to hire someone who understands how to effectively advocate for resources needed to operate the schools.
State budget cuts regarding education have been a hot-button issue lately.
The staff and community have several top concerns in common – those who filled out surveys are both concerned about school safety and having a superintendent who advocates for school resources.
Those filling out the online surveys had the option of writing in additional concerns for the school board to look at. Some took time to vent about where they think the superintendent should come from.
One community member wrote, “We need to look outside of Gaston County for someone with innovative ideas for our school system.”
Another wrote, “I believe the next superintendent should come from within the Gaston County school system. There are many individuals already equipped to step in and do a great job as superintendent.”
You can reach Wade Allen at 704-869-1828 or twitter.com/GazetteWade.
Top five qualities those taking the survey want to see in the new superintendent: COMMUNITY
1) Understands how to provide safe environments for students and staff.
2) Knows how to get staff, students, parents and community to work together to help children learn.
3) Understands how to effectively advocate for resources needed to operate the schools.
4) Has strong human relations or “people skills.”
5) Understands school finance, budgets and business management.
Top five qualities those taking the survey want to see in the new superintendent: GASTON COUNTY SCHOOLS STAFF
1) Understands how to effectively advocate for resources needed to operate the schools.
2) Understands how to provide safe environments for students and staff.
3) Has strong human relations or “people skills.”
4) Knows how to get staff, students, parents and community to work together to help children learn.
5) Understands school finance, budgets, and business management.