Howard County teachers want the school system to increase staffing, change assessment requirements, increase planning time, increase training and improve the quality of substitute teachers.
Those findings -- and others -- are the result of the Candid Conversation with Teachers series -- discussions among teachers, Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin and other top administrators.
Eight sessions were held during the 2006-2007 school year, and Cousin announced during a board meeting earlier this month that the series will expand in the coming school year.
"This helped me to do my job better," Cousin said. "I will wholeheartedly continue this process and make it better."
Cousin said he intended to modify the process and to include more central office administrators during the conversations.
During the 2006-2007 school year, Cousin held the informal talks, accompanied by deputy superintendent Sandra Erickson; Bob Glascock, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction; Mamie J. Perkins, chief of staff; and Linda Wise, assistant superintendent for school administration.
"I think it would be valuable for an expanded group of folks to sit down and take action," Cousin said.
The Candid Conversations with Teachers series, an ideadeveloped by Erickson, were 2 1/2 -hour sessions where educators got to voice the pleasures and concerns they had with the school system.
In some cases, teachers were informed of changes already in place to address certain problems.
For example, Cousin had already convened a Communication and Public Engagement Study Group to recommend a new strategic communications plan. Also, the school board approved a plan by Cousin to add technology teachers at the elementary level, which will allow teachers to have an additional hour of planning time each week.
In one case, a teacher asked about changing the date for interim reports during the second quarter. That request was granted and the interim date was changed.
Ann DeLacy, president of the Howard County Education Association, supports the series.
"I think it is a great idea to get as many voices involved in the conversation," she said.
However, DeLacy wished that Cousin and his administration would have included her organization in the process.
"He hasn't asked our opinion on any of this," she said. "I've heard that these are going on, but he hasn't made us privy to these things going on ... We are out of the loop."
Board member Sandra H. French praised Cousin for his willingness to go out and meet with teachers.
"You are taking a risk when you go out there," she said. "You do not know what you are going to hear."
Other board members also supported the concept.
"It's very empowering that teachers see that there are changes made about their suggestions," said Janet Siddiqui.
"We can make substantive and remarkable change if we just start to listen," said Ellen Flynn Giles.
Board chairman Diane Mikulis likened the conversations to a focus group.
"You can't solve every issue that you hear," she said. "But if you don't hear them, you can't do anything either."
john-john.williams@baltsun.com