Imagine having 30 seconds in an elevator to tell a new superintendent the biggest and most important challenges in Cumberland County Schools.
What would you say?
That was one of the questions posed to those who attended a public forum Wednesday at Douglas Byrd High School.
The event provided a chance for residents to share their thoughts as the school system searches for a new superintendent. It was the second such forum held by McPherson & Jacobson LLC, a Nebraska-based consulting firm helping with the search.
Superintendent Marvin Connelly announced in December that he is retiring June 30 from the post he has held since 2018.
The forum on Wednesday didn’t draw a large crowd, but participants’ responses indicated a long list of concerns, including needs for exceptional children, teacher salaries and retention, school bus safety, teacher-student ratio, and parental involvement.
Consultant Debra Whitaker asked four questions, including what makes Cumberland County a good community and which characteristics, skills and qualities are needed in a new superintendent.
“What’s the point about tonight is us listening to you,” Whitaker said.
Speakers, who were not required to give their names, included current and retired teachers, students, parents and bus drivers. Several identified themselves as “products of the Cumberland County Schools.”
“I’m a senior at Douglas Byrd and my concern is mental health for the students,” one student said. “I’ve seen peers go through a lot and it seems they have no one to talk to.”
Some people listed other concerns, including a shortage of guidance counselors and the challenges of motivating students and improving student attendance.
“These kids are not coming to school. They don’t want to get out of bed. We need to motivate these kids to want to come to school and learn,” one speaker said. Her comments were met with applause.
There was also discussion about how the school system is perceived internally and externally, how to eliminate system politics and how to make students feel safe.
One speaker said it’s crucial to ensure that students are well educated and “can actually read.”
Many of the issues and concerns shared during the forum have been voiced in other school systems the consulting firm has worked with, Whitaker said.
Robert Gonzales attended and offered his suggestions during the forum.
“I believe it being an open forum offered a lot of input,” he said. “The input gave a wide range of topics.”
