RCS teachers present communication, workload concerns

Richmond Community Schools board members heard speakers on topics ranging from busing to internal communication challenges, and updated how many valedictorians can be honored at their Feb. 12 meeting.

Teacher concerns

RHS teachers Marc Price and Jay Lee, who serves as Richmond Education Association president, noted communication with district officials has deteriorated since 2023 when state law no longer mandated discussion between districts and their associations.

Price said teachers feel “discarded and ignored,” and many interpret that disregard to be an apparent distrust or skepticism toward unions or collective action. There’s no direct line between teachers and central office, Price said.

Open forums are intentionally inefficient tools designed to ensure information can be edited or rearranged if or when it makes its way to district leaders, Price said, and “running away” from direct contact continues to strain an already strained relationship.

Lee said conversations have been limited, and teachers need information. He said open forums work in each school because building leaders can answer questions about building-level issues, but not at the corporation level.

Lee, Superintendent Curtis Wright, Director of Human Resources Stacy Mopps and one of Lee’s designees will have a 55-minute monthly meeting moving forward. Lee would like to double those meetings.

Lee said REA doesn’t want to be a problem but wants to bring issues forward and solve problems.

Meanwhile, Kylie Kuhn, Starr Elementary kindergarten teacher and REA secretary, urged the board to address pressures many elementary teachers are facing, such as learning and implementing five new curricula, that could lead to burnout and departures.

Teachers are working countless hours to effectively prepare, she said, and various meetings and conferences cut her prep time nearly in half in January. The ninth-year teacher said she’s spending more time at night than ever before, and poor mental and physical health for teachers is opposite to their Trust Based Relational Interventions training.

In other business

• Busing: Student Transit’s John McCue said its bus driver staffing, on-time performance and reporting have improved since he addressed the board a few months ago. Rerouting has been very successful, and complaints are down while driver recruitment and morale are up.
• Curriculum: The board approved RHS’ 2025-2026 curriculum guide. One revision affecting the Class of 2027 and beyond: The valedictorian will have the highest core weighted GPA. Salutatorian will have the second highest. If there’s a tie, co-valedictorians or co-salutatorians will be recognized.
• Memorial: Wright celebrated Mary Wright, who died in January. She had taught at Fairview Elementary for 27 years.
• Policies: The board approved a policy on supplemental payments for teachers and conducted first readings on topics including travel payments and reimbursement/relocation costs, employment for extracurricular activities, threatening/intimidating behavior toward staff, student concussions, sudden cardiac arrest, and transportation.
• Student representative: One idea is adding a student to RCS’ board. Questions include how they’d be chosen and their capacity. RCS will investigate what other districts do.  
• Sports: RHS’ inaugural girls wrestling team was recognized.
• Foundation: Melissa Swafford, finance director, and Karen Scalf, assistant superintendent of operations, presented the possibility of starting an education foundation, its potential advantages and requirements.

The foundation could collect gifts for facilities, professional development, technology, student support services, marketing and communications, and potentially use investments, which school districts can’t do. It wouldn’t replace current opportunities to donate for specific extracurricular programs. They’ll check into Wayne County Foundation’s donor-advised funds.

The school board’s next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 300 Hub Etchison Parkway. The public may attend.