When Superintendent Lynn Macan came under fire Monday night, Cobleskill-Richmondville school board members backed her up.
A former C-R teacher charged Ms. Macan with being responsible for poor morale and called for a public review of her performance. Board members responded with a vote of confidence in Ms. Macan.
The criticism came from retired teacher Kim Walchko, who later said her remarks stemmed from talking to teachers past and present and the decision by the district to have retirees pay more of their health insurance in 2009.
In a prepared statement, Ms. Walchko asked the school board for public discussion of exit poll results from the May 17 election, Ms. Macan’s pay and benefits and the costs to continue her contract past June 30, 2012.
Also, Ms. Walchko wanted:
“Information from an evaluation system of the superintendent that includes the opportunity for staff, parents, and community members to assess the superintendent’s ability to lead.”
After that, Ms. Walchko asked for a public hearing on the board’s rationale for Ms. Macan’s continued employment.
Ms. Walchko reasoned that if teachers are evaluated by student test scores and principals’ observations, Ms. Macan should be held accountable by the public, also.
Board President Bruce Tryon responded quickly, saying that the board evaluates Ms. Macan’s performance.
“Ms. Macan has the full confidence of the board,” Mr. Tryon said.
He also rejected Ms. Walchko’s charge that the board hears little feedback from the public.
“We hear feedback on a daily basis,” he told Ms. Walchko. “For you to insinuate that we don’t hear feedback is absurd.”
To Ms. Walchko’s concerns about Ms. Macan’s pay and benefits, board member Rose Surman responded that “there’s been no increase in the last couple of years, and there won’t be.”
“Ms. Macan has had no pay increase in the last three years,” Mr. Tryon added.
Among her peers––other superintendents––Ms. Macan “has a sterling reputation, in Schoharie Valley and beyond,” Ms. Surman said.
Amanda Hantho, whose husband teaches in the high school, also pointed to poor morale among staff and asked what the procedure was for a vote of no confidence in Ms. Macan.
Mr. Tryon responded again, noting that many factors––not just one person––affect morale.
“Morale is what you make of it,” he said. “These are difficult times for the district, and we’re fortunate to have Ms. Macan.”
“This board is very happy with Ms. Macan’s performance.”
Board member Howard Rickard closed the discussion by calling for an end to fighting.
“We’ve been arguing for so long,” Mr. Rickard said. “We’re in a tough stretch, but we have to get beyond it and make it work. If we do anything, let’s work together.”