Lyon County School District staff reported a wide range of reasons they love working in the
district, but student behavior and poor teacher retention were by far the most commonly cited
concerns in a pair of surveys conducted by the district through their staff “Suggestion Box.”
District employees cited the positive community and small-town feel, a sense of relationship in
the schools, and appreciate the collaboration with local law enforcement, wellness hubs, and
local tribes among their favorite things about working for the district.
Staff members also like the supportive environment, such as internships, professional growth
opportunities and the Grow Your Own program in which district employees can earn their
teaching certificates.
However, student behavior and discipline was the most commonly cited concern with the district.
Respondents said there is a lack of effective discipline, employees reported that teachers feel
unsafe and unsupported, particularly with special education students exhibiting severe behaviors.
The District’s Board of Trustees discussed the results of the survey during a June 4 workshop
and said they will be bringing a couple of agenda items in the future to address those issues. The
To address those concerns, the Trustees discussed updating the district’s Restorative Discipline
Plan and using it consistently across all schools. Trustee Tom Hendrix said the board will also
review the recently adopted cell phone policy, which is not working the way it was intended.
The Board began the workshop by hearing the results of the first question, “Why is LCSD a great
place to work?” before digging into some of the more negative comments.
Trustee Sherry Parsons said the comments don’t necessarily reflect the true opinions of teachers
and staff because they fear reprisals for negative comments.
“The survey does not get down to the nuts and bolts of what’s bothering the teachers.” Parsons
said. “They don’t trust it.”
Trustee James Whisler also said some teachers are afraid to share their true feelings.
“There’s a lot of teachers that aren’t because there’s not a relationship there, they’re not seeing
teachers held accountable, they’re not seeing administrators held accountable for the things they
do that they know they’re not supposed to do,” he said. “I’m grateful that so many positive
things are out there, but we do need to look at the negatives and focus and fix them.”
Hendrix said the point of the discussion was to narrow the responses down to things to be
addressed.
“First we recognize a problem and then we look for a solution,” he said.
Trustee Darin Farr said it’s important for the district to share all of its positives and
accomplishments. He said reaching out to the community is one way to start solving the district’s
problems.
“I really feel like we’re not our own cheerleader, then other people in the community re going to
talk for us as a school district, so we need to be highlighting our successes and reengaging with
parents on a one on one level,” he said. “The absenteeism, the behavioral problems, the test
apathy, that all comes from what’s happening in their homes and in their community and outside
of the school, and it bleeds into the school and we’re left trying to pick up the pieces.”
Regarding student behavior, a common theme among the staff responses regarding student
behavior and discipline was a lack of effective discipline with lenient policies and insufficient
consequences for disruptive or violent behavior.
“I don’t think we can overestimate with the importance in dealing with student behavior and
discipline,” Trustee Elmer Bull said, referring back to exit interviews with teachers who were
leaving the district. “Bad student behavior was the No. 2 reason people were separating from the
schools behind retirements.”
Bull said the District has 45 long term subs 31 critical needs positions because of untilled
teaching positions.
“We have trouble getting people to come to work for us,” he said.
In all, the District received hundreds of comments both positive and negative.
“What we really want to do tonight is validate to our staff that we hear their voice,”
Superintendent Tim Logan said.
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