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6 . WATEILOO CHIONlcu; - THURSDAY, lUNE 23,2015 Public school trustees trying to smooth over differences Brianna-um: leen Woodcock, who represents ensure all asides are covered before Natalie Waddell is optimistic a lab' behaviour, ftvouritkm, goals to WW 01mm Waterloo, told Metroland Media the coming to a decision. Watson maln- facilitator could promote healing. further political amid“ rather than was pleased to see a high response tains the board is stronger for during She believes trustees are sincere board business and exclusion ublic school board officials rate in the voluntary trustee evalua- diverseopinions. about wanting to make a differ- One respondent tried to summa- . plan to hire a consultant to tion process this year because their And as elected oflciais, trustees ence and have made some attempts rise the underlying issues of discon- help trustees end bickering feedbad helps determine next-steps have a right to share their ideas and to improve relationships in recent tent. at the board table and build a more "Trustees determine any out- shouldn't be apprehensive to voice months Still. there’s much room for 'Ihe personality conflict is not the productive and respectful climate. comes or actions from the results of them. improvement, the argued, acknmvi- actual issue. but rather the inapproâ€" The professional development the evaluation, such as the decision 'I think with every government edging someone needs to step in priate behaviour that results from strategy is being billed as a next-step to have a professional development body you're going to have people movethings forward these conflicts. At times these con- solution to repair working relation- session this fall focusing on team- who disagree, but it shouldn't be at "it just hasn't been happening. so flicts lead to disrespectful and con- ship conflicts that have revealed building,’ shesaid the level where people feel disre- i think that the time has come that frontational behaviour at the board themselves at Waterloo Region Each trustee’s participation is spected.’ wedothat." table. i believe that these sorts of District School Board. ‘lhe need for important, Woodcock emphasized. Watson is hopeful an external Waddell's thoughts were echoed behaviours are toxic to the overall change became blatantly apparent "The diversity of experience and facilitator can improve relations in the anonymous survey, which functioning of the board, as well it following results of a recent anony- knowledge each trustee brings to the between trustees, but she admits to provided clear evidence intervention often shines a bad public light on the mous questionnaire that challenged board table is a benefit." she said. having some doubts based on expe- mightbe needed. board as a whole.” trustees to evaluate how cohesively 'We all want our students to achieve rience sitting on the board for backâ€" When asked if mistees were con- in general comments, respon» the board works to improve educa» success. and 1 look forward to work- to~backterms fident the board could effectively dents said although there have been tion in the region. ing with fellow trustees as we devel~ "Here’s the thing this will be the manage if organizational crisis were some improvements over the last Though many of the survey’s op our strategic plan with a focus fourth time," she said. 'l'm just not to strike, four said it couldn't When year, trustees "desperately need out- questions confirmed commitments on student achievement and well- convian it will work." asked if the board’s ability to govern side mediation" as they don't have to the board's values and dedica- being," When asked for comment on the effectively “is not impaired by con- confidence in their eifecn'veness as tion to student achievement. other The questionnaire's findings survey, Waterloo/Wilmot trustee flicts between members", live trust- agroup. responses exposed evidence show- weren’t a surprise to longtime Cam- Carol Miliar orignaliy referred quesâ€" ees 'snongly" disagreed and another Meanwhile, Cambridge trustee ing just how much trustees don‘t get bridge trustee Cindy Watson. She tions from Metroland Media to the three disagreed. Andrea Mitchell is on medical leave along and that conflicts are meeting believes the board can, and should, chair. When prompted to highlight the of absence from the board as of _ the board’s work. dobetter. When questioned if there was strengths of the current board, trust- February. The longtime n-ustee had When thequestionnaire asked if ‘i want all trustees to feel respect- policy regarding talking to the press, ees responded by pointing to a diver accused Kitchener trustee Ted Mar- there is a good working relationship, ed and that they have good cornmu- Miliar offered a fiery response. sity of experience, skills, knowledge tin of harassment and breaching a good communication and mutual nication, that they feel that they’re ‘1 am someone who likes to be and opinions, as well as genuine code of conduct in connection with respect at the board table, seven of valued, that their opinion matters.“ solution-focused and 1 do not believe intentions to help students an exchange of words at the educa» nine trustees strongly disagreed. she told Metroland Media. that sharing information with you (so Those highlights were quickly tion centre 1m September. Another two were of the same opinâ€" "i know that’s what I want, so i you can have a story) will in any way undermined, however. when trust- An investigation launched into ion, only slightly less so, voting ‘dis- can only imagine everybody else be helpful to our board or our trust- ees were asked to describe the the Mitchell's complaint arrived at agree". would want that, too." ees. its (sic) that simple,’ she said. board’s limitations. Points includ- no conclusion due to a lack of cer- Scbool board chairperson Kath- A supporter of robust debate to Like Watson, Kitchener trustee ed, 'no relationships“ and 'child- tainry about whatwassaid. if ‘ «if ' ‘N , ' ' 7 f f " fin ”i f: ‘ ' 335151“; 4 Q1 , ‘ " < ,_ 175," tel"? if. a»: ‘ . . ‘ ‘ it, » in at £2 “5 1. ~ «5‘- - L , : 7 . .,,. “a; 73, s‘. 1:5. ' -;: ‘ rifle; ‘ it A ‘ i j \ ‘ 1 f t» t' t ..i5 5; .- , I (V . l I 3. ' .:2 3&2 , \ . a ’ ‘ s- ‘L ’ _\1E\ ' ’ 1 ~ . 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