The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“Maybe this year we captured some voices that were more discontent”
[ By Kendra Walker ]
During the June 27 school board meeting, Gunnison Watershed School District superintendent Dr. Leslie Nichols shared results from a statewide teacher and staff survey that was conducted earlier this year. Results indicated staff participation was strong but overall sentiment has declined.
Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado is a statewide, anonymous survey of teachers and administrators intended to support improvement planning, strengthen research and policy, and amplify educators’ voices. It has been issued three times: in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
Nichols was pleased to share that the Gunnison Watershed School District had a 94.4% participation rate, compared to the statewide 50.4% average. “We’re in the top five districts in the state as far as participation goes,” she said, noting 221 total GWSD participants this year, compared to 173 in 2020 and just 79 in 2018.
However, Nichols shared that the overall trends showed a decline from previous years in the composite scores that measure a variety of things including facilities, resources and professional development (2022: 70.1%, 2020: 81.4%, 2018: 80.3%). The district’s 70.1% composite score was lower than the state’s 76.1% average. The results also revealed declines in every construct over GWSD’s 2018 results.
“I’m disappointed,” said Nichols. “We had really strong participation this year, but I wonder how being open without interruption for COVID led to the fatigue that we know has been reported.”
She continued, “The timing of the survey’s administration was the middle of January to the middle of February – that was a really difficult time in our district because of the Omicron variant. It was a stressful time for our educators…We have also experienced this incredible cost of living and cost of housing surge.”
“All the drama surrounding masking and CRT (Critical Race Theory) probably affected teachers’ morale more than we know,” added board member LeeAnn Mick.
“I think that’s fair,” said Nichols. “It’s also possible with our very high participation rate…maybe this year we captured some voices that were more discontent than those who previously responded.”
When comparing the district’s score to the state score, Nichols pondered that many schools across the state weren’t in school in the fall and perhaps the staff were grateful to be back in person, therefore not feeling as fatigued in their survey feedback.
Overall, GWSD’s highest rated constructs included: facilities and resources, general reflection (“would you recommend your school to other people?”), community support and involvement, and instructional practices and support.
“Our top four are the same as the state’s top four,” said Nichols.
The lowest rated constructs, which were also the state’s lowest four, included: professional development, time, new staff questions, and managing student conduct.
Nichols shared some of the district’s plans already in action to address the lowest rated constructs.
The district’s Wednesday early release schedule targets creating professional development and time for teachers. “It adds to their planning time in any given week,” said Nichols.
To address managing student conduct, the district will continue its restorative practices. “It’s hard work and it’s uncomfortable sometimes, but we work really hard with our teachers to ensure they feel supported in how to welcome kids back (after being disciplined) and find other ways to manage those behaviors,” said Nichols. “We want kids to reflect, grow, learn and return to our community stronger than ever and be able to participate again.”
The district will also be holding a Team Watershed Gathering on August 15 in person at the I Bar. “We are one district, we haven’t seen each other face-to-face in so long,” said Nichols. “We’re really recognizing that in COVID times, we came to school, we did really good work, but we told our people to keep socially distanced, not to eat lunch together, etc.… We need to regain our footing in our personal relationships with our adults. I’m thrilled to give this a shot.”
