Longtime Fayette school board member says teachers, employees aren’t supported by district staff

Originally published by WEKU.

A longtime Fayette County School Board member says her effort to introduce a resolution at Monday night’s meeting proved unsuccessful. Amanda Ferguson served from 2007 to 2016 and rejoined the board last year. She said it was an attempt to improve relations between district staff and school employees.

“I guess I’m just trying to do something to fix what I think is a very bad culture and climate and lack of support from central office in the schools.”

Ferguson said the board chair refused her request to add the resolution to Monday’s agenda, and board members voted down her attempt to bring it up. She said she’s heard from many teachers and other employees who feel abandoned by the central office staff – and still hopes her resolution gets a vote.

“If I were optimistic, I would hope that it would maybe give more people the motivation or inspiration to speak out on their hat on their behalf and advocate for change, and just to try to make the culture better.”

Ferguson said in this year’s Impact survey of working conditions, respondents scored 53 percent on emotional well-being and belonging, and only 49% said they believe resources at their school are adequate.

The district’s spokesperson released a statement taking issue with Ferguson’s description of the board chair’s decision on the resolution and praising the work of the school board and district leadership.

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Originally published by WEKU.

Republished with permission.

https://www.weku.org/lexington-richmond/2024-05-07/longtime-fayette-school-board-member-says-teachers-employees-arent-supported-by-district-staff