The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees is trying to recover from a tumultuous last year that included a free speech lawsuit and an attempt by citizens’ group to remove the superintendent, GwenCarol Holmes.
The trustees released the results of community-wide survey this week, which is part of an effort to restore the community's trust in the board and the administration.
Nearly 2,000 parents, teachers and community members filled out the anonymous survey in December, which was administered by the Idaho School Board Association. The survey asked about satisfaction with the curriculum, facilities, school board and superintendent.
Respondents said high quality teachers are among the best parts of the district.
“The teachers right now are keeping this district afloat," said the new board chairman Keith Roark at a meeting this week when the survey results were presented to the public. "They came across very well.”
Around 70% of survey takers said they were "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" with the superintendent GwenCarol Holmes. Roark said another cause for concern is close to 60% were "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisifed" with the board of trustees.
“That says something that I can’t ignore. And I’m not going to," he said.
At the public meeting, residents praised the board for distributing the survey, and said it was a sign that the body seems to be taking public input more seriously.
Find reporter Rachel Cohen on Twitter @racheld_cohen
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