Happy New Year!
We had a most unusual startup after Winter Break. A two-hour delay on Tuesday; a complete cancellation on Wednesday; a two-hour delay on Thursday; and Friday School to make-up for the New Year’s holiday.
This week, we finally seem to be getting back into our routines. It was great to have some time off; it’s great to be back at school and to be working toward our goals. Graduation will be here before you know it and we will then be able to celebrate all the hard work that happens between now and then.
At this time of year, many people come up with resolutions to motivate them to be better in the year ahead. As an administration/faculty team, we’ve done that too!
Starting the first day after break, teacher work hours were adjusted. All teachers now have a ten minute earlier dismissal time on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays so that every Tuesday we can have a 30-minute faculty meeting.
While we’ve been handling most of our communication via email, sometimes tone is misunderstood or clarification is needed. This weekly meeting will provide us with a time to connect with one another in a face-to-face setting, to have questions answered immediately, and to be able to better understand the rationale for decisions that are made.
In addition to the regular topics we need to discuss like day-to-day management or planning for next year, this time is also going to be used to review the entire district board policy manual to ensure all of us are fully aware of the expectations for doing things the right way. I often say that we are fortunate to work in Days Creek where our small size allows us to be informal. But being able to be informal, doesn’t mean that we don’t have to do things correctly.
The first section of the Policy Manual is titled “Board Governance and Operations” and details the role of individual board members, the board as a whole, and the nature of relationships between the board, the administration, the employees, and the community.
As we reviewed this section, we were reminded that the district board has three major functions, just like the three branches of government: Legislative, Judicial, and Executive.
In its legislative role, the board establishes policies for governing schools and students. The entire policy manual may be found online under the District Board tab of our homepage: www.dayscreekschools.com
In its judicial role, the board acts as a fact finding body or court of appeal for staff members, students, and the public when issues involve Board policies.
In its executive role, the board hires and evaluates the Superintendent, approves contracts and payments, provides for an annual audit of the district’s assets, and establishes the school calendar.
Whenever board members receive complaints or requests for action from staff, students, or members of the community, they are required, by policy, to convey such information to the superintendent for action. Board members are prohibited from intervening in the administration of the district or school.
All of us at DC Charter appreciate the tremendous support that so many people in our community give to our school, our employees, and our board members. As we move forward in the new year, let’s all resolve to do things the right way so that we progress in unity toward our goal of continuous school improvement.
Respectfully,
Mark