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By Robert N. Holt
Your Turn

This writing serves to provide some insight into how school boards operate and how decisions are made. It will also address the work of the superintendent.  These comments and words are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the other school board members.

SCHOOL BOARD

Virginia has 131 school divisions – 12 are appointed and 119 are elected.  A few weeks ago a bill was submitted to a committee in the Virginia legislature to make all school boards elected. All 12 of the appointed school boards were polled and all preferred to remain appointed; the bill failed to make it out of the committee.

We prefer appointing school board members because the city council can assess those interested in serving. Appointed boards are able to make decisions based on their individual informed opinions, but elected school board members tend to have to reward those who helped them win elections.

Franklin School Board members attend a minimum of two meetings each month; those meetings average three hours each.  In addition, there are committee meetings and school events.  The board chair attends a minimum of ten meetings each month. 

All 131 school divisions are members of the Virginia School Boards Association which provides a suggested Code of Conduct which Franklin School Board members sign at the first July meeting each year. Number 5  on that Code says “I will delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the superintendent and establish a process for accountability of administrators” (this is a Virginia state law).  Number 12 states “I will always remember that the foremost concern of the board is to improve and enhance the teaching and learning experience of all students in the public schools of Virginia.”  The success of each student’s academic achievement, health, and safety is always the first  priority.

Board members receive material and data related to trends – are we headed in the right direction?  Do we need to take any corrective action if we are off track?

SUPERINTENDENT

Dr. Carlton Carter was appointed interim superintendent in Franklin in October 2022 and appointed permanent superintendent in April 2023.  He had been Assistant Superintendent in Franklin for approximately two years.

In less than two years, the following actions have taken place:

1. Joseph P. King Middle School was converted to a Career Technical Academy (CTA) providing skills training for students to obtain jobs in needed areas with good pay.
2. The CTA allowed for better coordination with the resources at Camp Community College (CCC).
3. The partnership between the CTA and CCC led local charities to guarantee full scholarships to every Franklin High School graduate to cover tuition, fees, and books at CCC.  That needs to be repeated – beginning with the FHS Class of 2025, every graduate can receive a full scholarship to CCC.  There are conditions for these “Camp Scholars,” but they are typical and reasonable.
4. Because of the CTA, employers are calling to get on the list of graduates; jobs are waiting for June graduation.
5. Because of the CTA, CCC, and Camp Scholars Programs, the Franklin Southampton Economic Development office reports increased interest from employers outside our area.

In addition, the following actions were taken in Franklin Schools at no cost to the city citizens:

1. Twenty new classrooms have been added to S.P. Morton Elementary School
2. Three new electric school buses were purchased
3. Fundraising is underway to rehabilitate the historic Charles Street Gym
4. Significant bonuses given to every school employee
5. Retained 92% of teaching staff
6. Started the 24-25 year with one teacher vacancy (filled two weeks later)
7. Strengthened the Special Education Programs
8. Increased attendance of students and staff

In one year, school enrollment has increased from 929 to 1066 and is still increasing monthly.  These increases have provided more money from the state and eventually from the city.

The school board evaluates the superintendent’s performance in eight categories twice a year.  His last evaluation, done last month, was 3.625 on a 4.0 scale.

FINAL THOUGHTS

By far, the most difficult part of serving on the school board relates to personnel decisions.  Anyone can make comments and accusations without facts or accuracy but, by law, school board members must remain silent.  I am convinced if the general public had the true facts, 95% would make the same decision the school board makes. Personnel decisions are never spur of the moment and are done over a long period of fact gathering and reflection with multiple evaluation sessions including oral on written documentation.  The higher the position, the longer the evaluation period.

Unfortunately, there is a tendency in today’s world for people to make a name for themselves on social media platforms rather than speak to those who can provide information and guidance.  It is truly sad.

ROBERT N. HOLT, of Franklin, has served on the Franklin City School Board for 17 years over a 32-year period beginning in 1993. In 2021 he was named School Board Member of the Year by the Virginia School Boards Association.