CCSD Superintendent Summer Stephens, left, talks to a student at the 2020 Churchill County High School graduation.
Trustees expressed their satisfaction with the superintendent’s performance at the Dec. 15 meeting of the Churchill County School Board.
Overall, the seven school board members gave Summer Stephens 21 excellent marks, 81 satisfactory, two in between satisfactory/needs improvement and 21 needs improvement. Trustees didn’t note any unsatisfactory areas.
After the session, trustees said she has worked hard to guide the school district through the pandemic months.
Trustees Carmen Schank and Tricia Strasdin expressed appreciation for the superintendent’s work especially during the past 21 months when the coronavirus pandemic gripped the nation. Trustees, however, strongly expressed their disapproval with the evaluation tool used to evaluate the superintendent. Board President Matt Hyde said so many things are lumped into the superintendent's rating.
A concern expressed by trustees was rating the superintendent as individuals rather than together, a point noted by Hyde.
“We do separate evaluations but govern as a team,” he said.
Schank said the evaluation should be more of a narrative summary.
Trustees gave Stephens three excellent marks and four satisfactory for her handling of the budget. The evaluation item requires Stephens to prepare a tentative budget annually and ensure the school district does not deviate from the plan.
Communication has 17 goals. Stephens received one excellent, two satisfactory and four needs improvement. The superintendent administer all activities of the school district per school-board policy and assumes responsibility for everything that occurs in the Churchill County School District.
Stephens oversees the school improvement plan, provides leadership with all facets of the K-12 curriculum, maintains a relationship with legislative representatives from the Nevada Department of Education and provides programs to keep the board informed.
All seven trustees gave Stephens a satisfactory score in the management of the administrative staff and site principals. She ensures the recruitment, selection, assignment, evaluation and professional. Growth opportunities for all personnel, interprets and clarified all personnel polices to staff and resolves personal grievances or complaints.
Under evaluations, Stephens follows the protocol on all of a regulation that administers policy. She ensures all employee contracts are developed by legal counsel.
The fifth area focuses on Employment and the number and type of positions needed in the Churchill County School District. Stephens received two excellent and five satisfactory marks. She also monitors the use of long-term or permanent substitutes and does not promise a guarantee to place one candidate over another for employment.
The sixth area of evaluation covers Concerns/Controversy/Complaints and Grievances. The superintendent or her designee hears complaints within the school and acts as an arbiter
Stephens received six satisfactory and one excellent in Governance and Board Policy Communication. The superintendent is responsible for the dissemination of general orders adopted by the board and works with board members in the creation and revision of all policies unless otherwise directed.
Trustees gave Stephens one excellent in Communication/Site Visits/Public Relations. The other six votes were split evenly between satisfactory and needs improvement. The superintendent is expected to visit all schools and departments and to be highly visible. Furthermore, Stephens communicates with local, state and federal government agencies on new legislative measures and budget issues. She is expected to communicate in a number of ways with different organizations, parents, staff and media.
Finally, Stephens shall conduct town hall meetings, send newsletter and inform the public through a variety of methods on important upcoming events.
For Treatment of Staff/Employees/Volunteers, Stephens received six satisfactory and one needs improvement. The guidelines focus on how the superintendent deals with personnel matters and interacts as a team player.
Stephens received two excellent and five satisfactory marks for the Treatment of Students and their Families.
The superintendent is expected to maintain good relationships among students, parents and the general public; provide for a sound school-community relationships program; maintain a sound working relationship with the news media; and be knowledgeable and sensitive to the community’s demographics.
The seven trustees rated Stephens as satisfactory with Safety/Workers’ Compensation/Bullying/Violence. The superintendent is expected to ensure policies, procedures and school rules promote a safe, secure and healthy school environment.
Stephens received five satisfactory, one needs improvement and one excellent for District Goals/Objectives. The category requires, in essence, periodic school visitations; strengthened communications and relationships with employees and community by holding two townhall meetings throughout the year; and reports to the board twice a year explain the state of the school district.
Under Condition Assessment of Facilities Grounds and Equipment/Asset Protection, the trustees gave Stephens seven needs improvement marks.
As outlined on the form, the superintendent serves as custodian of all property, real or personal, owned, leased or borrowed by the school district, lend, exchanges, transmits or receives such property only in accordance with the approval of the board. Stephens is expected to participate in the preparation of all plans and specifications including a District Master Plan.
On the other hand, Stephens received six satisfactory and one excellent for Capital Projects, which calls for the monitoring of capital projects with the director of Business and the Board of Trustees.
The trustees split on Character/Moral Conduct/Personal Qualities with two excellent, two satisfactory and three needs improvement. The evaluation covers such traits as professional conduct, work ethic and control under demanding, stressful or heated situations.
Trustees awarded five satisfactory and two excellent for Legal Counsel. The superintendent ensures the school district’s legal counsel is used properly to protect and defend the Churchill County School District.
For Academic Progress and Growth/School Improvement, the superintendent is responsible for the efficiency of the school district, develops the teaching staff and academic growth for students, assumes responsibility for the methods of curriculum. Stephens also monitors the principals’ School Improvement Plans, curriculum instruction, alternative, adult and early childhood education, and Science, Technology, Engineer and Math (STEM) to name a few.
Two trustees gave Stephens excellent marks for Curriculum/Professional Development/Data Analysis. Four rated her as satisfactory and one had needs improvement. As superintendent, she ensures teachers receive additional education in curriculum; offers continual professional development opportunities; and educates teachers to sue and develop Common Core standards and their application.
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