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Show Schiller Responds to Insubordination Charges Jan. 24, 1983. To: Park City Board of Education Members From: Brian Schiller Subject: Annual Evaluation, Memos of Jan. 10, 1983. I came to work in Park City because the people I met during the interview process impressed me with their commitment to quality education for kids. As an educator I believe very strongly in a broad range of quality educational experiences for students. I believe we have begun to create such experiences at Treasure Mountain Middle School and we plan to continue to do so. Further, I believe I have played a role in changing the direction of the middle school in Park City to a generally positive perception now held by kids, teachers, parents and the community at large. I plan to continue to build on our first positive baby steps in the years to come. I was dismayed and disappointed by my evaluation. In my own evaluations of teachers at Treasure Mountain Middle School I rely almost entirely upon what I see and hear in direct empirical observations. I do not recall during my thirteen years in education ever having had an evaluation based in large part upon what I have supposedly said or done in my work, in the community and in my private life. I only wish that more of my evaluation could have been based directly upon my work which is to educate kids and to work for and with a staff of teachers whose job it is to educate kids. In his half-dozen or so visits to the middle school this year, I do not recall the Superintendent observing me in my interactions with kids and teachers or making observations of the educative process at Treasure Mountain Middle School. I would certainly welcome such observations and subsequent input by the Superintendent and most of the Treasure Mountain Middle School staff would probably do so also. The following sections will respond to each of the Superintendent's constructive criticisms of my performance perfor-mance as administrator of Treasure Mountain Middle School: 1(a) It is correct that I did not have the evaluations of the Treasure Mountain Middle School staff completed com-pleted in accordance with district policy. I realize that the reason for the deadlines results from the need to provide teachers who may not be rehired adequate time for all due process procedures. However, if the evaluative process were viewed by the Board and the Superintendent as a constructive device - one to improve the quality of teaching - rather than a device for the removal of "bad" teachers, the deadlines of current policy might be less important. In future years all evaluations will be done incompliance f with current policy. I must point out that considerable time and effort is spent by the middle school administrator on each teacher evaluation. Copious notes (anecdotal record) are recorded during each teacher observation. These notes are then carefully reviewed and become the basis for the evaluation. Evaluations Evalua-tions are based on what is observed during a scheduled observation. It is my belief that I want to catch teachers doing their best and help them replicate such behaviors rather than to surprise them and "catch" them doing something less than desirable. 1(b) I feel some history is in order on this point. In the spring of 1982, Dr. Goodworth mentioned on several occasions an interest in moving the district office to the middle school at some future date. No formal request was made in writing or verbally prior to my departure for England on June 16. While in Michigan in mid July, I contacted the Superintendent and at that time he informed me he wished to move into a double room then assigned to Mrs. Richards and required by her teaching assignment. I suggested other rooms at the end of the 5th6th grade wing which were available. The Superintendent indicated only double rooms would be acceptable. Upon my return to Park City, Superintendent Goodworth ordered me to change Mrs. Richards' room, assignment to make way for the district office. I did so, Mrs. Richards was then assigned to a vacant double room in the 7th8th wing because of legitimate facility needs (additional space required by her musicdrama assignments). The issue was resolved by a brief meeting between the Superintendent, then President Mc-Comb, Mc-Comb, member Clark and myself. Currently, 5th graders spend 17 of their day in the 7th8th wing taking an art class. 6th graders may spend 27 of their day in the 7th8th wing in art and science classes. 5th and 6th graders are in the 7th8th wing for facility dependent classes only. This has been the case at all times this year. The Superintendent indicates that I am not in compliance with Board philosophy and policy on the issue of room utilization. Was not a major point made by the Superintendent and the Board that 5th and 6th graders would have access to the more specialized facilities of the new middle school should the middle school have a 5-8 configuration? I state once more that 5th and 6th graders are in the 7th8th wing for facility dependent classes. Finally, even though I have rambled on long enough on this topic, I would like to say that I will not do anything intentionally evil to children of any grade level in curriculum, our teaching, or our placement of kids in the middle chooi facility; va : ' i2. The leadership cOf the, P.CE.Aq has never spolten with me about use or nonuse of the district grievance procedure. An example provided me verbally by the Superintendent relative rela-tive to the issue of a "possible strike", rather than use of the grievance procedure was that one or two teachers at the middle school reported something I had supposedly said to other teachers who then told the P.C.E.A. officers, who then told the high school principal who then told the Superintendent. Perhaps, I should have been asked directly. 3. I recall raising questions and persisting in the pursuit of answers at two administrative meetings in October Octo-ber and November. At other meetings, and we have had many, I have been cooperative, if not supportive. I have never understood nor agreed with the answers I was given to the difficult questions I raised. One of the issues came up once again at a recent administrative meeting, I kept my mouth shut even though I do not believe what has been done is educationally sound. 4. I believe I can say there is no turmoil within or among the Treasure Mountain Middle School staff. We are quite together. Many staff members share concerns about the direction of the district. Perhaps more communication communica-tion would ameliorate such concerns. 5. I do not seek nor do I have any intention of seeking the position of Superintendent in Park City or any other school district. After reading this evaluation, it must be me. (Please excuse the weak attempt at humor.) 6. Yes, I did return from England late. I began work on August 9. It is and was my understand that my contract specifies total work days not dates. I will work the days specified in the contract. I did leave one hour and thirty minutes before school ended on December 22. The implication that we were not ready to open school in late August astounds me. I can speak only for the middle school, but I know for a fact that every student we knew about received a schedule through the mail two or three days prior to the opening of school. Each student's schedule specified classes, teachers and room assignments. All teachers knew what, when and where they were to teach classes and had class lists. Contingency Contin-gency plans were made for serving lunches and for temporary room assignments. Plans for conducting P.E. classes in temporary locations were complete. Rules had been specified and sent home regarding student areas while the building was still under major construction. The staff was involved in all these plans and executed them beautifully. The kids knew what, where, when and, most importantly, why and they soon settleji .into, a Jputine, We. had ,a4very smooth opening under the most,trying of conditions. We were indeed prepared. 7. I was remiss in not complying immediately with the Superintendent's Superinten-dent's request. 8. I have never initiated such a discussion with the Superintendent. The Superintendent did initiate such a discussion with me on January 10, some seven days after writing my evaluation. I don't believe the Superintendent knows my position vis-a-vis his relationship with Dr. Dozier as I have not told him. As for my opposition to the move of the district office as reported by the Superintendent, I recall opposing his choice of rooms not the move itself. 9. My relationship with friends is my business and only my business. 10. It is my understanding that Mr. Rick Blair is under my supervision. Accordingly, I control his hours of work. Mr. Blair's regular hours are 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasionally I change his hours to reflect our need for his services. Mr Blair also runs many errands for me to purchase items of a maintenancerepair nature from Art's Hardware, Alpha Beta andor Anderson Ander-son Lumber. Perhaps someone should have directly asked Mr. Blair why he was uptown before making the negative assumption that he was abusing his hours of employment. It is important to point out that although Mr. Blair is under my supervision, others around the district frequently ask for his assistance. We at Treasure Mountain Middle School try to comply with these requests. 1 1 . 1 will continue to disagree when I believe it is appropriate. I will follow policy once it has been determined. In his memo of January 10 Superintendent Goodworth makes several points. I should like to respond. I do not recall shutting lines of communication but I am sure I am guilty of not working hard enough at communication. I am comfortable with my assessment assess-ment of myself as humanistic (caring). I acknowledge that I may not always care in the ways others want or expect me to care. I think my humanism in a professional sense is best exemplified by the site chosen by my office. It is by intent open and accessible. Some may be uncomfortable with my choice but a 'great many people - teachers, kids, parents, firefighters, delivery persons and lost souls are comfortable enough to stop for a chat without having to fight through secretaries and doors. I do believe that good leadership is exemplified by willing and eager following. I also believe that lines of authority in institutions such as public education clearly apply to budget, policy and other similar things; philosophy and .general . direction are moTe often collegial in inature .with less Please turn to page 1 0A Schiller's Response Continued Continued from Page 9A defined lines of authority and status and greater reliance upon expertise and function. I have never advocated a strike by any teachers in Park City and I have no intention of doing so. Work stoppages andor strikes are certainly a bargaining device which should be accessible by teachers or any other employees. Strikes are very American. Strikes are always damaging but still can be effective in obtaining certain objectives. Strikes are often only symptomatic of problems on both sides fof atbargaining issue(s). , , 4 Yes; I have berf Involved in three i Strikes as a teacher-and consultant in i't i't i ( k t -t f f: "? ' the Watertord School District. Yes, damage was done yet no one knows if greater damage might have occurred had there been no strike. In two of the three strikes greater damage would have resulted, in my opinion, had there not been a strike. No, it is not true that on October 8-11, 1981 I was in Poland advising Lech Walesa on strategies for Solidarity. As a matter of fact, I was involved as a consultant at a special beverage tasting test at Lake Powell in southern Utah. The Park City rumor mill is, a , continuing source of amusement; -' ' - It is my intention to work cooperatively with the Superintendent and the Board of Education. I believe that I have done so. I believe significant progress has been made in improving the middle school. I enjoy Park City and its people. The kids are especially great. If the Board, in its wisdom, chooses not to renew my contract I request that I be given all necessary due process, that I be notified early so that I have the opportunity to apply elsewhere, and that I be given in writing all reasons for my non-renewal. Dr. Brian T. Schiller, Principal Treasure Mountain Middle School , t: ". . . . , , 't tu I |
