DeLand, FL - Volusia United Educators President Elizabeth Albert said she's glad that the teachers are being included in the search for a new School Superintendent. On Monday (September 16), VUE attended their own community forum with the Florida School Board Association, the agency heading up the search.
Albert said the process at the teachers' forum was the same one used at the community forums. She said there are three parts to the process. The first section talked about the strengths and successes, which Albert says are many. The second section talked about the challenges. In the meeting, they were "able to have very honest and open, and sometimes tearful conversations about the challenges that are facing not only the employees but the students within Volusia County Schools." She said a lot of those things center around the lack of a strong leader, not a boss.
The third section of the forum, the teachers had a chance to talk about the qualities and characteristics they'd like to see in the next Superintendent. Albert said, "Overall, we want someone who we believe prioritizes the employees, who will listen and value and respect the voice of the employees and overall, someone that we can all trust. That's what we're looking for."
Albert encourages the community to be part of the process and there are still some chances to do so. Two community forums took place this week and two more are scheduled for next week. One is scheduled Monday, September 23, at Holly hill High School. The second is on Wednesday, September 25 and will be held at the Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber of Commerce. Forums run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There's also a School Board meeting on Tuesday, September 24 at 5:30 p.m.
