Seventy-one percent of school system employees responding say that overall morale at their work site is good, while 85 percent of respondents indicate confidence in Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin, according to the 2006-2007 job satisfaction survey conducted by the Howard County Education Association.
HCEA President Ann DeLacy shared the survey results with county school board members during Thursday's meeting.
Of 6,300 employees the union represents, 3,089 - about 200 fewer than last year - completed the 28-question survey, which was distributed in December to teachers, guidance counselors, support professionals, instructional assistants, nurses, social workers and cafeteria workers.
"Dr. Cousin, his Cabinet, central office staff and most building administrators have been open and honest in the analysis of our data and in working to implement change," DeLacy said. "Many building administrators value our survey and apply its findings. We appreciate this collaboration and thank all who value our input and have worked with us."
Cousin said he was pleased with most of the survey results.
"Overall, I think the survey shows that we are doing a good job of educating the kids of Howard County, and the teachers and staff are overwhelmingly satisfied with the schools in which they work," the superintendent said.
The survey found that 68 percent of respondents said they received appropriate and adequate support and training during their first year on the job; 60 percent said they have experienced or witnessed harassing behavior from parents; 27 percent said they experienced or witnessed harassing behavior by colleagues; 21 percent said they experienced or witnessed harassing behavior by supervisors.
As a result of the harassment-related data, the HCEA's Human and Civil Rights Committee met several times and made the recommendations to create a standard definition for harassment; create harassment training; and have annual review of harassment guidelines for employees.
Cousin said that he was pleased with the way the HCEA presented the harassment data this year, which allowed him to identify the source of harassing behavior.
"In the past, it was implied that harassment was coming from supervisors and administrators," Cousin said. "At least we now have that information; it gives us something to address."
Student voting rights
It's official. The next student member on the Board of Education will have partial voting rights.
