Unfair Treatment Of Employees And Volunteers?

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  December 18, 2013.  mDiane Weston had requested the opportunity to appear before the School Board.   She began by indicating that she felt the school system in the County is a good one.  She has had eight children go through the system, has had all of them go on to higher institutions of learning, and they are now very successful in their various occupations.

She noted that currently there are some problems with how assignments and promotions are handled among the volunteers and/or part time faculty.   Last month, the School Board put in writing the procedures to be followed in dealing with assignments and promotions of volunteers and assistant faculty members.  However, Diane noted that the School Board is supposed to have the final say about who is or who is not accepted or promoted. 

However, an individual who can be promoted or reassigned must first be approved by the principal.  This means that the Board is unaware of someone who deserves a promotion or reassignment if the principal makes a decision about that person without ever passing the name of that individual on to the Board.  The individual may have requested either of these changes in status but doesn’t stand a chance of moving forward if the building principal turns them down.  This is a real problem if there is or has been a clash or misunderstanding between these individuals. 

She further noted that if the principal decides to reassign a volunteer or part timer to a different assignment without that individual’s permission, there could be further problems.  If the individual feels inadequate or unfamiliar with the new assignment request, he or she must either accept the assignment or be denied any further promotions or opportunities to work in areas where they have the background and training to handle.  Again, the board is completely unaware of what has happened.

It is also apparent that the principal of one building can reassign or demote a part time or volunteer faculty member from another building.  Again, if problems occur as a result of that decision, the board is unaware of what is happening.  Diane noted that there is a lack of transparency in what is going on between the school board and faculty/staff situations.  The principals are in the middle either allowing information to flow freely, or blocking off all communication about such matters. 

Perhaps it would be better if each individual who wants a promotion or change of assignment go to the building principal who would then be required to present their name to the School Board with the building principal’s recommendation.  The School Board could either accept or reject the principal’s recommendation and thus maintain control of such situations in the future and actually have the chance to make the final decision.

Druci Wadsworth also requested to be heard by the School Board.  She was concerned that the Board might be unaware that her husband, who has helped with basketball and other athletic events, is no longer allowed to do so at the decision of one of the building principals.  Her husband has done nothing wrong.   In small towns, however, he is being asked what he did wrong since he is no longer assisting.  The actions that were taken have sullied his reputation and made it difficult for him as well as his family.  “That is not fair.  Just because of the decision of one person, with no explanation or justification to anyone, has made life very difficult for us.” Wadsworth said.