By Patricia Bogumil
Editor
No one had any reason to step up to the microphone and find fault with the high scores Waterford Graded students achieved on the state’s recent Report Card of public school performance.
But for nearly an hour, more than a dozen speakers at the Sept. 22 school board meeting slammed the job performance of Administrator Chris Joch, complaining he works with a negative style of teacher intimidation and criticism, and blaming Joch for poor morale they said has led to too many teacher resignations.
The residents further expressed their disapproval of Joch in a “no confidence” vote taken later Monday night at the district’s annual meeting.
But not only Joch drew negative feedback from the crowd of more than 100 concerned citizens.
One mother criticized school board member Dan Jensen for past remarks she said were not supportive of differentiated instruction, which aims to encourage high-achievers to excel further.
Jensen in turn spoke up from his seat at the board table, complaining she had not accurately portrayed his remarks.
They both shouted back and forth until Jensen cut off her comments, saying: “Officer, escort this person out.”
The parent left without help from the sheriff’s deputy in attendance, but not before facing the crowd, waving her arms to point at Jensen and saying: “He’s the bully of the board – let’s remember that at election time!”
On a different note, principals Chris Multhauf and Darlene Markle were each singled out for praise by speakers.
“Thank you, Mrs. Markle, for going above and beyond,” said parent Stephanie Schwartz said. “You’re a gem!”
After the meeting, Joch said in an email follow-up that he agrees that the upheaval with teacher transiency among districts is unsettling – in Waterford and also many districts in Wisconsin.
“Be assured we are working to identify any pattern of reasons for departed employees and respond to concerns of employees if they are communicated to us,” he said.
“More importantly, we are working with our new and returning staff members to offer support and positive energy as they begin in Waterford Graded.
“The enthusiasm our new staff members and their mentors have exhibited this first month of school has been exciting. There are many positive attributes of the district that need to be emphasized,” Joch said.
Kastengren resigns
In other business Sept. 22, the board accepted the resignation of Board President Bob Kastengren, praising him for his years of work on the WGSD board and in the community.
In a telephone interview Sunday night, Kastengren and his wife spoke with the Waterford Post, explaining he suffered a stroke in late August caused by a blood clot on the brain.
The resulting surgery was successful and Kastengren is now home recuperating, with therapy needed to improve his speaking and reading abilities.
Monday night, resident Derek Machan urged the board to have a plan in place to fill the position. No action was taken to fill the board vacancy by appointment. The position could stay vacant until the April 2015 election, when it will be on the ballot for a one-year term.
4K on the way
Board members discussed plans for the district to move forward with the start-up of 4-year-old kindergarten in the 2015-16 school year.
When signing up a child for 4K, parents will be asked to mark down their first, second and third choice of location – whether at a WGSD school or an accepted local private provider.
Administrators will then review and tabulate the results and send out letters. School bus transportation will be provided free for 4K students living further than 0.3 miles from their WGSD school; parents will provide transportation if using an outside 4K provider.
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Mr Joch has done a wonderful job with the district. Those teachers who don’t like it there should feel free to leave and don’t let the door hit you in the backside on the way out. There are plenty and plenty of young energetic educators waiting for jobs. Make some room for them!
Mr Joch is a horrible administrator, probably the worst I have ever seen! He is destroying the Waterford Graded School District. The assertion that he has done a wonderful job with the district could be the most untruthful comment I have ever heard.
A couple dozen teachers left Burlington last year, how many left Waterford? Teacher transiency is alive and well in WI. Teachers, shop around, there are good deals out there. Better pay, better insurance, better class sizes, better working conditions, and supportive administrators. You owe it to yourself to look around and find an employer that appreciates you. The key is to identify a community that appreciates the work that you do. The employer is not just the school or even the district office, you have to get a measure on the support of the community. Check out the local papers, like this one, and see if the community supports the education of it’s own children. If not, keep looking. You deserve to be happy in your career. You have worked hard for your education and developing your skills as an educator. Why settle for the abuse and neglect.
It’s not nearly as easy for teachers to change school districts as you’re pretending it is. The economy and poor housing market over the last 6 – 7 years has put a pinch on school budgets, and all to often, the cheapest option for a teacher becomes the preferred option rather than the most qualified option. Still, the overwhelming majority of teachers with 5+ years service are much better off staying where they’re at and fighting through any issues than they are leaving a job and looking for another.
I will say this, my kids have gone to and through Evergreen, and I’d have nothing but good things to say about Chris Multhauf. He’s doing an OUTSTANDING job!