In a crisp, efficient meeting Tuesday of the East Allen County Schools board, one thing was apparent: Board members appear to have taken to heart recent analysis of their performance and perception in the district, and are willing to work to improve both.
It has been just more than a week since a public meeting was held to disclose the results of former superintendent Daryl Yost’s “climate survey” of the district, where Yost explained that a number of survey respondents – many of whom were district employees – felt the board misunderstands its role as a governing body.
Yost also recommended the board look into changing the way its members are elected and undergo more training.
Instead of doubling down and projecting defiance, board members instead openly discussed what Stephen Terry described alternately as “a gut check” and “an opportunity to get better.”
“We still have to be thinking about where do we go from here,” Terry said, later adding, “How do we resolve it? We have big decisions.”
Apparently, one of those decisions is to hold an executive session of the board, where members will attempt to focus on the types of outcomes they want to pursue, as well as what types of training they will receive and who will perform it.
Those steps will likely be determined either by or at the board’s June 5 meeting.
Also on Tuesday, no public comments were submitted regarding the district’s request-for-proposals to obtain iPads via a capital lease.
Kirby Stahly, the business manager for EACS, said nine entities have been approached, with a deadline of Friday.
Stahly said the board could make a decision as soon as June 5.
