PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A survey of employees of Maine School Administrative District 1 shows a range of concerns among teachers and other employees.
The district commissioned a survey of employees last year to gauge their opinions on the working environment. Seventy one percent of the district’s 339 employees responded.
The survey asked employees to note whether they agree or disagree with a range of sentiments.
While 76 percent of the respondents indicated they “look forward to coming to work,” perception of the overall morale “is generally far more negative,” according to the overview of results shared by the district’s board of directors.
Approximately 53 percent agreed that “there is good team spirit” at MSAD 1. Approximately 55 percent disagreed with the statement that “there is positive energy” and 68 percent disagreed with the statement that “staff morale in MSAD 1 is high.”
The board of directors overview said that in terms of perception of district management, “confidence in building administrators was significantly higher than confidence in district administration.”
Approximately 46 percent said they had “confidence” in their building administrators, such as principals, and their ability to provide leadership.
However, 46 percent said they had “minimum confidence” in the superintendent’s ability to provide leadership, and 23 percent said they had no confidence.
About 56 percent of the respondents disagreed with the statement that “Decisions in MSAD 1 always focus on what is best for student learning.”
Approximately 74 percent disagreed with the statement that “Central Office leadership is respectful of divergent opinions and of different points of view within boundaries of the values and mission of the district.”
Approximately 68 percent disagreed with the statement that “I feel comfortable going to Central Office leadership if I have a problem.”
The survey of staff was conducted with MSAD 1 in the midst of discussions around school district right-sizing and as it undertakes efforts in general to save money with a declining student population. In 2016, teachers also raised concerns about proficiency-based education mandates and their impact on teaching and students.
The MSAD 1 Educators Association, which represents teachers in the district, declined to comment on the survey.
MSAD 1 board chair Lucy Richards said the board is taking the issues raised in the survey “very seriously.” The board has not yet taken any action on the survey.
