When filling out self-evaluation forms, members of the Leavenworth Board of Education were asked to rank themselves in several areas.
But when they reviewed the results, board members spent most of their time focusing on one section of the evaluation — the portion dealing with how they’re functioning as board members.
The self evaluation was facilitated by the Kansas Association of School Boards. Doug Moeckel, a leadership specialist for KASB, reviewed the results Monday during a special meeting of the Leavenworth school board.
Moeckel suggested board members use another meeting to further discuss the issue.
As part of the self evaluation, board members were asked to rank themselves in various areas using a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the strongest score.
In terms of each board member acting in the best interests of the entire district rather than one segment or a special interest group, the average score among the seven board members was 2.
When it came to members attempting to assure that community values and educational aspirations are adequately reflected at the board table, the average score was 2.71.
In terms of board members thinking independently during the decision making process but speaking with one voice after a vote is taken, the average score was 1.86.
Preserving the confidentiality of items discussed in closed-door sessions had an average ranking of 2.57.
Members working to strengthen public confidence in the board and district leadership had an average score of 2.29.
Moeckel said the board will be perceived by the public as the entire school district.
“And confidence in the board and the district is low,” he said.
He said high performing boards help the rest of a school district to perform well.
Jim Edwards, KASB’s assistant executive director for leadership development, also was on hand for Monday’s meeting. He said the issue can be boiled down to two things — trust and communication.
“Both are hard to develop,” he said.
Board member Loyal Torkelson said he felt like the school board had been a good team his first two years on the board but that is no longer the case.
Moeckel asked Torkelson if the board can be that type of a team again. Torkelson said he doesn’t think so.
Board member Danny Zeck acknowledged he was part of the problem.
Board vice president Mike Robinson said he can’t accept the idea that the board cannot grow.
He said board members are too old to change their personalities. They have to accept each other as they are and listen to what a person says.
