Give administrators leeway to do jobs

A new school year has begun. It’s a time of transition – sometimes joyful, often wrenching – for families throughout York County.

Students have to adapt once again to the regimen of rising early and spending the day in a classroom. Parents have to worry about packing lunches, driving kids to school or putting them on the bus, and making sure they do their homework at night.

And teachers and administrators have to gird themselves for another batch of new students and new challenges ahead. Many teachers will be facing the rigors of the classroom for the first time.

And while the beginning of a new school year won’t affect the elected members of York County school boards to such a significant degree, might we suggest that they use this opportunity to reflect on their role in making the year a success. That role is an essential one.

The board, of course, must put together and approve a budget, set policy, determine funding priorities, tend to the upkeep of school district buildings and other property, ensure the safety of students, approve the hiring of personnel and attend to hundreds of other details associated with overseeing a school district.

But another key function of the school boards is knowing when to leave people alone and let them do their jobs. In other words, board members need to understand the boundaries of their responsibilities.

Superintendents and their staffs have the task of running the school system. They, in turn, rely on principals and their staffs to run individual schools.

When elected officials involve themselves too directly in that management process, they can be a distraction. They can go from useful oversight to meddling.

Not all school board members are guilty of this, but some are. Their intentions no doubt are honorable, but the result can be negative for the district operation.

We don’t suggest that the board, as a whole, should assume an entirely hands-off policy regarding the running of the district. Nor should individual board members refrain from raising questions about the performance of the district administration or even individual principals if necessary.

Board members are, after all, representatives of the public, and they need to serve the interests of their constituents.

But board members shouldn’t routinely burden superintendents or district staff with requests for reams of information above and beyond what already is provided to the board. Board members shouldn’t get involved in disputes at schools that should be handled by principals and staff there. Board members shouldn’t embark on their own fact-finding missions before trying to go through the proper channels first.

In short, board members need to let district employees do their jobs.

In Rock Hill, Superintendent Kelly Pew has embarked on her first year running the district. That gives the Rock Hill school board a unique opportunity at this point to reflect on the respective roles of the board and the people in charge of the day-to-day operation, and to establish a good working relationship with the new superintendent.

But all school boards in the district could benefit from similar self-examination. Let the beginning of the new school year be an opportunity for a fresh start.

And here’s hoping that all have a successful year.

This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 6:44 PM with the headline "Give administrators leeway to do jobs."