OCR Text |
Show Sjchool BoardEnters IntoConflict In response to the strained facultyprincipal relationship at Winters Middle School, the Park City School Board sent a t wo-page " conflict resolution' resolu-tion' "document last week to Dr. Otis Falls and the teachers. ; - . -: .: In an interview in last week's issue of The Record. Middle . School teachers said they had completely lost trust in Dr. Falls' ability to serve as principal at the school, and furthermore expressed the desire that Dr. Falls return to Marsac Elementary School to be principal . T he t e a c hers added that the situation had deteriorated so far many were considering not returning to the Middle School in the fall unless Dr. Falls was transferred transfer-red to Marsac. Dr. Falls, in his defense, told The Record that he was attempting to establish an entirely new program at the Middle School and that . "drastic changes" were need ed. He also indicated his succes s a t t h e elementary school could be duplicated at. the Middle School as long as the community as a whole, including parents, teachers and students were involved in the building process. The School Board, in its letter, issued six directives to Dr. Falls designed to remediate remed-iate the problems: the teachers teach-ers were given four directives. Dr. Falls was requested to: 1) spend a minimum of three-fourths three-fourths of his time at the Middle School for the remainder re-mainder of the 1979-80 school vea r: 2) , not dis cuss t he professional competence of we staff member with another staff member in the school ' system: 3) not talk about the weakness or faults of any staff member with any patron of the 'community: 4) meet with staff immediately to determine a coufse of action to bring students under complete control: con-trol: 5) meet individually with those teachers returning for 1980-81 school year and attempt to determine the nature of the conflict on a one-on-one basis, commit to resolving any apparent differences differ-ences in the past and see that differences do not occur in the future. 6) meet with those staff members in small groups and individually to receive input and assistance as he formulates the program for the 1 90-8l school year with those staff members that are returning. The Middle School teachers were directed to: 1 ) meet with Dr. Falls and formulate a policy of discipline to be implemented immediately; 2) meet individually with Dr. Falls in an attitude of. reconciliation to explore the apparent problems on an individual, basis and make commitment to a personal resolution of those conflicts; 3) not discuss or undermine the administration of the district or the Board of Education with members of the community and not to publicly make - accusations or charges against staff or administration. Public statements, often indicate the lack of commitment foTesolu-tion foTesolu-tion of conflict; 4) rededicate himselfherself to the education educa-tion of the students of the Middle School putting aside any personal feelings, vendettas, vendet-tas, or ill will toward the administration or other, personnel per-sonnel associated with the district, and see that the educational process for the students for the remainder of the 1979-80 school year functions in a positive learning atmosphere. Finally, the letter states, "The Board of Education, in reviewing these matters, has considered many alternatives and has decided and hereby gives notice that Dr. Otis A. Falls will be the principal of the Carl Winters Middle School for the 1980-81 school year. The Board therefore requests that teachers " work with Dr. Falls to 'mend the fences that have been placed' in disrepair at this time' for a positive and full academic ycar. .v-V;-; Meanwhile, a petition was released this week requesting the Park City School Board to return D rV Falls to the elementary school. Organized by a parent of a Middle School stue'ent, the' petition states: "We, the undersigned, urge the Park City School Board to retain Dr. Otis A. Falls as full time principal of the elementary school where he has had proven success." |