On Thursday, the Northampton School Board met for its regular work session. On the agenda was a brief on teacher retention as well as recommendations from the Teacher Retention Committee (TRC). The following recommendations for the 2017 school year, which were the result of data collected and analyzed by the TRC, was presented to the board:
-Review survey results w/administrative staff
-Present/Review 2016 action plan process and outcomes to SB.
-Revise plan as needed; incorporate principles of Continuous Improvement
-Present action plan to SB
-Progress monitor effectiveness of plan. Present progress to Board
-Distribute survey
-Report survey findings to School Board
-Report to AdvancED
Board Member Nancy Proto, who also serves as chair for the TRC, presented a brief on a conference she attended in Wythe County that specifically dealt with teacher retention. The data presented at the conference confirmed much of the data the TRC had collected over the two survey periods they had conducted.
After Proto concluded the brief, she then made a motion that the board accept the TRC recommendations. The motion did not receive a second, and so fell to the floor, and did not come before the board for a vote.
With the motion on the floor, and the TRC recommendations rejected, Proto next made the motion to dissolve the Teacher Retention Committee. The motion to dissolve the committee was seconded, and passed unanimously. The teachers that attended the meeting took this opportunity to exit.
The issue of teacher retention is a national problem, but for rural communities like Northampton, it has become a crisis.
The TRC was formed almost two years ago to address teacher retention and all the problems that it creates for staff, administration, and more importantly, the students. This year, the county lost almost 25% of its teachers. The county routinely loses 18 to 25% on an annual basis, which is nearly twice the national average.
The move to reject the work, and essentially dissolve the TRC appears self-defeating. In conversations with members of the Teacher Retention Committee, the Mirror was told that there was some negativity surrounding teachers that were part of the committee. However, given that these teachers were passionate enough, and cared enough to volunteer the little bit of free time left after the classroom, lessons planning and working a second job, it would seem the effort put into the data collection and analysis would have been taken more seriously.
Whether this rejection lowers teachers’ morale even more, widens the trust gap with administration, and exasperates teacher retention is something that should be monitored as the school year unfolds.
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Just a question does anybody on the board actually have school aged children that go to public school? I’m not trying to be sarcastic as it might appear. I can’t see why anybody would vote against trying to keep teachers. What is more important that our children’s education, especially if we intend to make the Shore a better place?
‘What is more important that our children’s education, especially if we intend to make the Shore a better place?’
That is easily answered with one word……’GOD’.
With that attitude towards teacher retention, is it any wonder that private schools are a growth industry on the Shore? Despite the low median income, many families still find the funds to send their kids to private schools. I think that tells you something about the answer to Matthew Watson’s last question.
I’m guessing Stuart Bell doesn’t have any school age kids either.
Does anyone remember why parents ‘really’ sent their kids to Broadwater in the 70’s? It had nothing to do with education.
I remember, and, you are correct. Nothing to do with the quality of education.
I went there and remember the reason given, with no shame. It was a ‘White-Only” school. Period. I’m sure none of their alumni is willing to admit that in today’s politically correct society.
Ask them.
So let me get this straight, my having or not having kids would change my moral compass? No one is going to do that. I do not change my core beliefs on the whims of society and I sure do not put liberal teachers or convoluted education before God.
Bless your heart.
i haven’t been following this but what exactly are the specific reasons teachers are leaving………perhaps one reason they are coming in the first place….is it’s hard to get that F
IRST job …and we are hiring first time teachers? Thus, after that first year, they can apply in Pennsylvania or wherever they are from as an “experienced” teacher? It might not have anything to do with our school system or the shore etc. Is that possible?
Note: Yes, you make good points. Some of them are covered here:
http://www.capecharlesmirror.com/news/northampton-county-teachers-tell-their-side-of-the-story/
http://www.capecharlesmirror.com/news/northampton-continues-to-struggle-with-teacher-retention/
If young people are leaving the Eastern Shore because it lacks economic opportunity and any semblance of a nightlife, why would a teacher; but a few years older than these kids ,think that a hot Saturday night is heading up to Wal Mart and hitting Mexican on the way home, is attractive?
But hey, keep on keeping on and RESIST that darn capitalism. And dear Lord, DO NOT LET GOD BACK INTO SCHOOLS!!!!! Cuz kicking Him out has been SO GOOD for America.
I won’t add that an area chock full of freaking whacko conspiracy nuts((9/11 was dun by de Gubermint!!!!!) is not an attraction to most. See, normals RUN away from crazy people.
Not enough of you have run….the shore is over run with come-heres. In some towns, they out number the natives.
This time I have to agree with Mr. Kuzma, and I COMPLETELY disagree with Ms. Thompson’s comment. Both Northampton and Accomack need an infusion of what is called “The Creative Class”, those people who start businesses, volunteer in community projects, and generally think positively, not always saying, “we’ve never done that before”. When the best and the brightest graduate from our schools, whether public or private, they usually leave to work or create businesses elsewhere. We are left with people perpetually on government assistance, people in the chicken industry (which will only damage the area’s topography and waterways) and , ubiquitously, local govern-ment employees, who seem to increase in number despite the counties’ static population. Bring in the come-heres!
Miss Thompson, can you imagine the utter economic destruction of CC and the 13 corridor if that nice man from NJ hadn’t come in and bought up Aqua, the Condo’s over there, the old campgrounds and all the other investments he made? Over $20 million and counting.
I can, I saw it 16 years ago when you could pick up homes in CC for under $50K.
I guess you forgot.
But don’t you worry, you and some others are doing a bang up job of chasing away the future.
The ‘Aqua’? The ‘Condos’? The ‘Old Campgrounds’? Surely you jest. Why do you think we would care anything about that? ‘Do I remember?’ you ask. Yes, The Eastern Shore I miss had nothing to do with the things you mention. It was before they put a fence across the mouth of the most beautiful body of water on Earth. The 13 corridor is depressing from Pocomoke to Kiptopeke. No one from Jersey has saved anything or ever will. Now, I am a 72 year old lady, not a Miss.
I guess you forgot how to show ladies and your elders respect?
But don’t worry, there are still real men out there to remind you.
Well, Ms. Thompson, I am sorry to hear that you don’t understand the necessity of an economy to an area. Sad, really.
And sorry but a bunch of panty waisted liberal boys ain’t gonna teach me manners.
And yes, sorry kiddo but all those places I noted? All purchased by a guy from Jersey, saving your sorry butts from the same poverty that afflicted CC not so many years ago.
72 and a bigot. How pathetic. “Come here’s destroyed mah town!!!!!!”
Buwahahahahahahahaha, we saved your sorry butts.
You got a problem?
Yes, Ed. Disgusted by the bigotry of the CC residents who put all the blame on “Come here’s”. I take it you approve of bigotry? Are you also racist?
My original response to your wife was as neutral as can be. Her responses have become increasingly bitter.
On the internet, no one knows your age or marital status. My ‘Miss’ was written without rancor.
Unlike your wife’s bigotry about ‘not enough of us chased off’.
Reading the other article, all I can say is Exmore is gonna eat CC’s lunch.
Bless your heart…
Ah, the reply of those unable to refute facts. In Jersey, we just use the invective. I guess we are more honest as well.
Don’t worry, Mr. Thompson, Come here’s will keep the area going so all a y’all can keep a fishin’ and a drinkin’……
And won’t I laugh Hohohohohoho when you wind up hiring an OUT OF STATE MANAGEMENT company for the harbor.
You have a good day now, hear?
I concur Roger. Bless his heart. Mr. Kuzma, I really didn’t want to respond to your tirade against Ms. Thompson (see what I did there?). But, I feel I should remind you, this not a foot race. Yes, I’d agree with you, a lot of folks from New Jersey, New York, New Rochelle for that matter have come down to the Shore and have done some mighty great things for the town of Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore. They have also infused into the economy a lot of capital. However, they have also disenfranchised many of the locals by various means that are both complicated and in many cases, unintended. I remember Cape Charles in the eighties and in the nineties. A two- story frame home on Strawberry Street or Tazewell Avenue or any number of dozen addresses could be had for a song. (roughly 25 to 50 grand in most cases) However, to modernize and in some cases, make livable, you’d have to interject another twenty to fifty grand to upgrade. Most locals either couldn’t afford that, or were disheartened to the point of seeing their community fail, they couldn’t bring themselves to invest. Not fault of anyone, just a reality at the time.
Enter Dickie Foster, Brown and Root and the Plantation property located to the south. All prime real estate begging to be developed. And this is where the story really gets interesting. Add in several booms and busts and you have the situation that Cape Charles is in today. Some have lost money, others made theirs and cleared out, most have remained to defray the costs and to maintain their daily lives, which some call Shore living. It takes a special breed to live on the Shore. Some (like you) merely come to visit. That’s nice…but should you live there, your attitude would be vastly different. OR would it? I don’t know you from Adam, but you don’t seem very helpful. You just sound like you need to be correct all the time. Personally, I find that irritating. You can call me a panty waisted liberal, that would make you a troll. But, it doesn’t do anything to further either of our disagreements.
And as far as that gentleman from Jersey saving the town? I think not. It was a joint effort, by the town of Cape Charles, it’s people and people from the surrounding communities. How do I know this? How long would Aqua stay open if no one frequented it? The Shanty? Gene’s Pub? You see, it does take a village. Whether the village idiot says it’s so or not…have a nice day.
Mr. Cornweller, I am frankly simply sick of being blamed for all of CC’s, and America’s woes.(the latter a result of PC and a liberal progressive anti-Americanism) That’s why I replied to the lady who was hoping for more ‘come here’s’ to be run outa dodge.
Sorry, but no. Aqua was bought by a NJ investor and yes, local go there but did not have the capital to save it from bankruptcy. I appreciate your recognition of the ‘come here’s’ impact.
The disenfranchisement you speak of has a name; in Real Estate it’s called a changed highest and best use. Sorry but no place is immune to the laws of economics.
It’s funny, I talk about going back to the America I grew up in, and am castigated as anti-progress. Y’all wasn’t to keep CC exactly the same and are celebrated for your wisdom.
I’m cornfused.
The simple fact of the matter is young people want fun, and the locals want to remain unchanged. Until then, good luck keeping teachers around.