TSPR Wall Independent School District

Appendix E
FOCUS GROUP COMMENTS

As part of the review process, focus groups were held at Wall schools in which teachers participated by commenting on 11 specific topics of review; and in some cases, discussed these topics with review team members.
The following comments convey the teacher's perception of Wall Independent School District and do not reflect the findings or opinion of the Comptroller or review team. These are actual comments received for each focus area.
District Organization Management:
Teachers have an open invitation to attend Board meetings if we want. Some of us have made presentations. The Board makes an effort to keep us informed. To get on the agenda, teachers call the superintendent's office.

The Board takes the input of the teacher when it is warranted.
The Board tries to keep class sizes small.
The School Board policy should be published on the Internet.
Teachers are in no way intimidated by administration.
The superintendent is accessible and keeps us in the loop.
Overall, communication from administration is clear.
The principal keeps us informed and is always accessible when there is a discipline problem.
We have full access to administrative staff; we can just pop in.
Teachers find out what's going on in the district by word of mouth, although the superintendent does visit with us. We also use e-mail.
The support staff is wonderful.
There are faculty meetings every two weeks during lunch. Committees are formed to address certain issues and report back. The principal conducts the faculty meetings.
Site-based management works well.

Educational Service Delivery

Teachers don't get told "no" when we need something. Administration will find a way to get something if we need it.
We have the support we need from the administration and our service center.
The Regional Service Center is very accessible and quick to respond. Teachers can call them directly or go "online" for help. The Service Center even calls on them. They can get catalogs and "living" supplies free.
Classes are all small. This is a great place to work.
Our students do really well on TAAS because we align our objectives and have tutorials and a good tracking system. We also offer additional reading and math when needed.
Teachers hold students accountable for their grades. If they aren't doing well, teachers put the responsibility on the students.
Teachers frequently call students at home.
Teachers are treated like professionals. We're not told when to come or leave because the administration knows we will do what we have to in order to do a good job.
Next year, parents and students will be able to go to the Internet and see their grades as well as what was accomplished on a daily basis.
Parents don't want their kids going anywhere else but Wall.

Personnel Management

Salary is at state base, but teachers will take pay cuts to work at Wall. This is so money can go to instruction.
Teachers want better insurance, because what is available is too expensive.
Teachers are informed about their benefits and know what to expect.
The leave policy is good, and the evaluation system is fair.
Substitutes are well-qualified and some are certified.
The elementary school needs an assistant principal, because the principal and counselors are spread too thin.
When hired, one teacher was told, "I can guarantee you're gonna love it here, because we're going to have school."
Teachers are involved in interviewing new teachers.
Teachers can take any kind of staff development we want as long as the principal approves. The principal might suggest certain areas such as technology, gifted-and-talented, etc. He keeps us informed of upcoming workshops we might be interested in.

Community Involvement

The PTO is very active and does fundraisers to earn money to help with field trips, workshops, whatever. We have 95% percent attendance at PTO meetings.
There are large numbers of volunteers. Dads help out as well, having cookouts periodically. They even put in a sprinkler system.
Businesses support our alcohol-free prom night with donations, and parents help with Project Graduation.
Parents are very supportive; they are more concerned about their children making a B than a D.
The community raised $25,000 in just two weeks for a family in which the mother was ill.
The military come and share their experiences, so students know there's a world outside of Wall.
You just have to tell your students what you need, and you get all the support you want. The community takes care of the school. This IS the community.
A community Thanksgiving program, sponsored by the Catholic Church and the Brethren ministry, raises money for a scholarship for a high school student.
The churches help make this a strong community.

Financial Information

Teachers have their own budget, and the process is improved over last year. Site-based management team reviews the budget.
Teachers budget to attend a state convention, and the district usually finds the money.

Purchasing and Warehousing

When it comes to buying supplies, there is give and take based on teachers' needs. If something unexpected comes up, teachers will volunteer part of their money to help another teacher.

Safety and Security

There are practice drills for fire, tornado, and bomb scares, and there is a crisis team.
Although there are no cameras in the halls, someone is going to stop anyone who hasn't checked in. There are security cameras in the high school parking lot.
Every room has intercom w/ button.
Teachers should probably wear badges and so should visitors.
The environment feels safe because you are surrounded by people who will help because other students won't condone bad behavior. The students are as concerned about safety as the teachers; if they suspect a problem, they tell someone.
Teachers who worked other places feel safer here but are encouraged to keep their eyes open.
Children are protective of the teachers.
Teachers put kids on bus, and nobody goes with anyone other than the custodial parent.
The superintendent is involved in the teachers' lives.
Teachers call on students at home if we're concerned about their absence; the parents feel free to call us as well.
Take a look at the restrooms. They are neat and clean because students police themselves.
I have been here four years and have yet to send a child to the office.

Computers and Information Technology

Our school Board has always had the foresight to keep us ahead.
Learning new technology is not an option. All teachers are expected to use the new technology.
Teachers are trained often in new technologies and do summer workshops. Training is paid for and may reach 30 hours per teacher in a year.
We could use another projector -- we only have one.
We are only a phone call away from resolving any computer problem.
If grants are not available, we can't afford new computers - and journalism needs a new one.

Transportation

Buses are clean, efficient, well-kept and never break down.
If there are problems on the bus, the bus drivers handle them. They are really concerned about kids - probably because they are teachers also. They receive stipends for driving the buses.
Buses need air-conditioning.

Food Service

Food is pretty good, but it is school food.
The food isn't any good.
1 wish the food tasted better.
We let the kids order pizza once a month, and Chick-Fil-A comes out on Thursdays.
Facilities are very clean.
Middle school kids eat in classrooms, and they run out of food for the elementary and middle school kids.
The kitchen is too small at the high school.
Teachers have to pay more for food than kids do.