A group of 20 people gathered Monday evening in downtown Guthrie to brainstorm and provide positive solutions for the problems and concerns that face the Guthrie Public School district.
The forum was constructed by local businessman, Phil Nichols, after he became concerned with, what he considers, good teachers being “burned out” with the educational system.
The group (Citizens for Quality Education) spent a majority of the time discussing morale, non-functioning buses, lack of hot water and also providing possible solutions from the community to help assist teachers and principals with fundamental needs.
According to the group, the main concern was the low morale among the teachers. They shared some of the teachers’ frustrations which included Common Core, the execution of the Virginia Plan, A-F state scores, standardized testing, less instructional time, lack of communication and lack of technology.
The group suggested ideas to help morale which included being a substitute for a day, scheduling a work day and asking teachers and principals what are some the basic needs the community could immediately assist with.
Members of the group are expected to talk with building administrators to find out those immediate needs and try to provide the day-to-day services.
“I would like to see a group of us to do a background check(to substitute teach), pay the $60 (background) fee and saying nothing else to the teacher but ‘take the day off’,” Nichols said.
Other concerns for the low morale pointed toward the lack of hot water in parts of schools, an old fleet of buses, lack of bus drivers and other fundamental items such as lighting and seating in the gymnasium which has been neglected for some time.
“Lets start building some things that we can touch today — that helps morale. When they (teachers) see 30 parents show up to fix the bleachers, to paint or whatever needs to be done they will see the support,” Nichols said. “Those are the things we can control.”
One person in attendance called it a possible “educational booster club” and says it’s not a wish list, but a necessity list.
A second meeting has been scheduled for Monday, February 3 at 115 N. 2nd street beginning at 6 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.
It’s important for the kids in our community for us to show up, have an opinion and have a solution to help solve the problems!! It takes a village they say, we are willing it to be a community… Our community!! Please choose to help whether you have kiddos in school or not! They will be citizens in your community!! Show them you care, show the teachers and the schools you care! Don’t just complain put in the effort and help!
Love this idea!