Union leaders and parents urge exit interviews, say district losing staff

Shelly LaRue, president of CESA, told the board the district’s climate survey and recent departures show a troubling pattern: “In 2 years, we have lost key employees in the double digits,” she said, and urged the board to conduct confidential, independent exit interviews to learn why staff are leaving.

Katia Willowford, speaking on behalf of the Certified Educators Association (CEA), praised outgoing elementary principal McCall’s leadership and asked the board to include CEA representatives on the hiring committee for the next elementary principal so classroom staff inform the selection process: “Those who work directly with students every day bring valuable insight into the qualities and leadership characteristics needed for success,” she said.

A resident the board identified as Bonnie Tolk described herself as a surgeon and parent and told the board she had read local coverage and the climate survey, and that the picture presented suggested a punitive or retaliatory culture. She asked the board to explain what will be done to reverse that trend and to ensure the district can hire and retain high-quality replacements.

Board members did not engage in back-and-forth during the public-comment period but acknowledged the points; several board members later thanked speakers and praised administrative reporting. The union’s written request to be included in the hiring process was also noted during correspondence.

What the speakers asked for
- Independent, confidential exit interviews for departing staff to capture unfiltered reasons for leaving.
- Inclusion of CEA or classroom staff representatives on the elementary principal hiring committee.

What the board said and next steps
The public comments were recorded into the meeting record and acknowledged by the board. The district’s agenda and correspondence show the union’s written request about hiring will be part of the administrative process; no formal board directive or vote on exit interviews or committee membership occurred at the meeting. The board’s hiring and hiring-committee decisions will be implemented consistent with district policy and any applicable contracts.

Why it matters
High turnover and the reasons employees leave can affect school continuity, instructional capacity and student outcomes. Speakers framed the requests as part of the district’s responsibility to uphold its strategic plan commitments to staff well-being and retention. The district’s business manager and administrators are preparing the budget and hiring decisions that will determine available staffing and supports in the coming year.

What remains unresolved
The board did not commit to a specific independent exit-interview process at the meeting, nor did it set a timeline to decide on hiring-committee membership. Those are administrative decisions expected to be addressed by staff and the board in subsequent meetings.