Published: March 24, 2008 03:16 pm      

Director of schools gets high marks from board

If two out of the three isn't bad, how good is "four-point something" out of five?

Ask Director of Schools Aarona VanWinkle who scored an average of 4.37 in the Cumberland County BOE's evaluation of her job performance. On a scale from one to five, VanWinkle scored more than four in each category, which is considered above expectations.

The BOE voted unanimously to approve the evaluation following its presentation.

Randall Bennett, Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) associate executive director and legal counsel, appeared at the March 12 meeting.

"Generally, as a board of education, you all seem to be very pleased with Mrs. VanWinkle's performance," Bennett said.

Bennett noted there was only a one-point spread in the highest and lowest rating attained in the breakdown within each category. All scores fell in the range between a 4.7 and 3.7.

In board relationships, VanWinkle received a 4.3 total category score. In the community relationships and staff developer categories, she scored 4.3 again in each. As an instructional leader, her score was 4.4. In facilities and finance, she received a 4.6, and in planning, a 4.2.

The DOS commented although her facilities and finance score were especially high, she saw room for growth in planning.

"I can recognize [room for growth] in several areas in all the categories," VanWinkle stated. "I've identified specific areas that I need to work on, so hopefully by next board meeting, I will have an improvement plan based on this evaluation."

Within the facilities and finance category, the DOS received two more 4.7 scores in both her understanding the needs of school programs, facilities, equipment, supplies and budget and in ensuring that "funds are spent wisely with adequate control and accounting maintained," as the evaluation document reads.

Bennett noted VanWinkle's high scores within the community relationships category, citing her 4.6 in being cooperative with the news media and her 4.7 in her active participation in community life and affairs.

In the instructional leader category, VanWinkle received a 4.7 in encouraging the staff to be innovative in problem solving, as well as a 4.6 in her understanding and being informed of instructional programs.

"We do a number of superintendent searches around the state and one thing that everybody wants is somebody who's fiscally sound, who knows how to manage a budget, who can maintain control of a budget, and translate that complicated document to you as board members, " Bennet said.

Bennett added that VanWinkle had read the board's written comments on the evaluation.

"I do appreciate your constructive comments," the DOS said. "There were several good comments I feel like I could use."

Dan Schlafer, 9th District representative, thanked Bennett and the TSBA for their professional way of handling the evaluation.

TSBA Executive Director Tammy Grissom was also present at the meeting.