Parents Concerned About Testing In Schools, Education Board Told

Parents and community members are concerned about how Oconee County Schools assess student performance and see a need for greater support services in the schools to help with mental health, stress, and social skills issues.

That was one of the key findings of researchers for the Georgia School Boards Association, who examined responses to an online survey and input from a community engagement meeting last month.

The researchers also said parents and community members believe Oconee County Schools have high quality teachers, administrators, and staff and that there is a high level of parental involvement in the schools.

Claire Buck, chief academic officer for the schools, updated the Board of Education on Monday about work on the strategic planning process and released to the public for the first time the findings of the School Board Association researchers.

Buck also identified for the first time the 41 members of the 2018-2019 Strategic Planning Team, which, she said, met Nov. 1 and 2 at the North Oconee High School Field House to discuss the report of the researchers and move forward with the planning process.

The Strategic Planning Team, appointed by the School System, consists of two Board members, eight school administrators, four school principals or assistant principals, one teacher, one paraprofessional, six students, 11 parents, and eight members of the community.

For more on the story, with a video of the Board of Education meeting, please go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Strategic Planning Team